Peter Schaefer, Following a Fall

Peter Brian Schaefer of East Hampton died on Aug. 27 at Stony Brook University Hospital of injuries suffered in a fall two days earlier while he was out to dinner with his family in Southampton. He was 32.

“He was one of the brightest lights in my life,” his mother, Joanne Schaefer, said. “Our hearts are shattered.”

Mr. Schaefer put his family first and lived life to the fullest, his family said in material prepared for an obituary. They also called him loving, smart, and fun to be with. “That grin of his would get you every time,” they said.

He was born at Southampton Hospital on March 20, 1985, to Russell Schaefer and the former Joanne Halliday. He attended East Hampton schools, graduating from high school in 2003, along with both his grandfathers, George Jim Halliday of Amagansett and Leonard Schaefer of East Hampton, who received their diplomas under Project Recognition.

He then attended Suffolk Community College and worked at various jobs for several years, before returning to school at 26. He graduated from York College in Pennsylvania in December of 2014 with a degree in history and a minor in geography and sustainability. He was a member of the Gamma Theta Upsilon International Geographical Honor Society and, in his senior year, served as president of YES, the York Environmental Society.

With an interest in local history, Mr. Schaefer became involved with the East Hampton Historical Farm Museum and became a member of its board of directors. He had done research and crafted displays for the museum. His family said he was very proud that when the farm hosted a trivia night this summer, he stumped Hugh King, the town historian.

From an early age, Mr. Schaefer had an interest in the Titanic and would say Dr. Robert Ballard, who found and explored the wreck, was his idol. He would go on to study countless other shipwrecks and to know many details about them.

He also had a keen interest in marine animals, especially whales and sharks, and in Civil War history. “Always willing to accept a challenge when it came to learning, Peter went about learning German and Polish on his own,” his family said.

A lifelong sports fan, Mr. Schaefer was devoted to the New York Mets and Miami Dolphins. He also loved all forms of auto racing, with Nascar his favorite.

In addition to his parents, a brother, Daniel Schaefer of East Hampton, and a step-grandmother, Marilynn Schaefer of East 6ge Jim and Genevieve Jean Halliday of Amagansett and Leonard and Mary Schaefer of East Hampton, died before him.

A Mass was celebrated at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in East Hampton on Sept. 2, Msgr. Donald Hanson officiating. The family has suggested donations in his name to the East Hampton Historical Farm Museum, P.O. Box 3037, East Hampton 11937.