Stephen Richard Schaetzel

Stephen Richard Schaetzel, 81, of Republic passed away Friday, April 17, 2026. He was born Friday, October 13, 1944 in Alhambra, Calif. to Stephen Charles Schaetzel and Helen Martha Peterson Schaetzel.

He was the only son born between older sister Joan and younger sister Claudia. He was married in Alhambra, Calif., Aug. 3, 1968 to his wife Patricia Ann Byard. They had three children, one boy and two girls as well, Shane Stephen, Jennifer Lynn, and Rachel Ann.

He graduated from Alhambra High School before attending California State Polytechnic University and after serving his country in the Navy, attended California State University Los Angeles where he completed his bachelor’s degree in mathematics.

In 1967, he joined the US Navy for six years where he served in the Communication Security Division. He was assigned to the Kamiseya base in Japan during the Vietnam War and although he was instructed to come by himself, he was determined to bring his wife, Patricia, with him. Together, they resided in a small community off base for two years. They returned stateside in 1970, just in time for the arrival of their first born, Shane. They later settled down and bought a home in West Covina, Calif. and added two more daughters to the family, Jennifer and Rachel. 

He worked and retired as an electrical engineer for Astro-Science, a company later named Datatape, a division of Kodak. His aerospace career spanned 25 years and entailed large collaborative projects involving the US government and military as well as the NASA space shuttle program.

Post-retirement, in 1993, Steve, Patricia, and youngest daughter, Rachel, moved to Republic, for a slower pace of life. His two older children moved to Republic not too long afterwards and began their new ventures as Missouri residents. With all the family back together, they now called the Ozarks their home.

He attended Calvary Chapel Golden Springs in Diamond Bar, Calif. and later Calvary Chapel of Springfield, where he actively served in the prayer ministry.

It was a rite of passage for all of his grandchildren to play “Papa” in chess. He taught and played chess with his kids and grandkids and many of the staff and residents at Republic Nursing and Rehab where he resided these last years. 

He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister Claudia Essma.

He is survived by his wife, one son Shane Schaetzel (wife Penny) of Republic, two daughters Jennifer Crowley (husband Stephen), of Republic and Rachel Steele (husband Joshua) of Pleasant Hope, one sister Joan and nine grandchildren.

A visitation was from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at the Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at Rivermonte, 4500 S. Lone Pine Ave., Springfield, MO 65804 with funeral services following at 11 a.m. Procession and interment with full military honors took place at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Rd., Springfield, MO 65804. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org Online Condolences can be made at www.klingnerfuneralhome.com.