Forrest Arthur Schafer of Bayside unexpectedly passed away at his home, on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the age of 79.

Forrest was born in Lodi, California on February 2, 1944, to mother O’tilla Rose Schafer and father Arthur Carl Schafer. Forrest grew up working in their family store, “Schafer’s”, in Rio Vista, California. After he graduated high school, Forrest attended Sacramento State University, where he met Carole Judith Schafer when they were paired together as tennis partners. Upon graduating, Forrest & Carole married and moved to Bayside, where they proceeded to be lifelong partners. They would have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on June 26.

When they arrived in Humboldt, Forrest began working as a deputy for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department. He retired 33 years later as a Sergeant. While working as a deputy, Forrest also served as a reservist with the U.S. Army, National Guard, and Coast Guard, stationed out of Eureka. He retired from the Coast Guard achieving the highest enlisted rank of Master Chief Petty Officer, E9. After retirement, Forrest continued to serve the community not only as a dispatcher but as a volunteer with the Humboldt County Search & Rescue (SAR) Posse. On June 10, 2023, he was presented with the SAR Lifetime Achievement Award.

Forrest had many hobbies. He was an active member of the Humboldt Amateur Radio (HAM) and the Good Sam RV clubs. He enjoyed years of camping, fishing & boating with friends and family. He had a luscious garden, in which you could always find him tending to his strawberries. He loved writing regular newsletters for the Posse and Good Sam, photographing for the Redwood Discovery Museum’s annual Perilous Plunge and time with his family, especially any occasion he could use as an excuse for a ‘family dinner’. Forrest was most particularly known for his love and passion for embracing the sun’s rays & keeping up his year-round tan!

Forrest is survived by his wife, Carole Schafer, his children Cristine Duncan, Jeff Schafer (Chloe) & Amy La Jeunesse (Joseph), his grandchildren, Shelbye Duncan, Brooke Cabrera (Juan), Kindyl Duncan, Bryce Schafer (Hilanea), Riley Secor (Marissa), Joshua Duncan, Micah Duncan, Alexis La Jeunesse, & Joseph Jamie “JJ” La Jeunesse, and his great-grandchildren, Braelynn Schafer & Jaxson Cabrera. Forrest was preceded in death by his mother, O’tilla Schafer, father, Arthur Schafer, and his brother, Doug Schafer.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 29 at the Lutheran Church of Arcata, 151 East 16th Street, Arcata, with a reception immediately following until 2 p.m. The family will have a private burial at 3 p.m.

In keeping with Forrest’s true passions, the family asks, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Humboldt County Search & Rescue (P.O. Box 410, Eureka, CA 95502) or Humboldt Amateur Radio Club (P.O. Box 5251, Eureka, CA 95502).

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