County residents mourn unexpected death of administrator

    Residents of Phillips County may not know all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes of a county administrator position, but they are undoubtedly enjoying the things that Randy Schafer was most passionate about.
    From the massive Phillips County Event Center to the beautiful water feature, Randy has left his mark on this corner of northeast Colorado, and he is greatly missed after his unexpected death Thursday, March 14.
    Randy was given a second chance at life after a November 2009 double lung transplant. It had given him the energy he needed to work on projects in his role as county administrator. “It wasn’t too many months after his lung transplant that he was going full steam ahead,” said Randy’s wife Joy.
    She said that when he died last week he was at his desk doing what he loved to do.
    Randy had a chance to make Thursday a snow day. Since he lived out of town, he had the option to stay home while the in-town employees planned to open the courthouse later than usual due to a blizzard.
    Randy decided to go to work anyway, heading in around noon.
    Laura Schroetlin, who works in the administration office, said Randy made conversation like usual, but then she noticed he was having trouble breathing.
    Randy lost consciousness, and he was not able to be revived.
    He passed peacefully, said Schroetlin.
    Joy said he was being worked on by the people he loved working with, including County employees and the sheriff’s department. She said Randy’s death was probably heart-related due to his lung transplant. He was 69 years old.
    The Board of County Commissioners is currently evaluating the county administrator/planner position and is preparing an updated detailed job description. Once that process is complete, the commissioners will move forward with filling the position. They have not set a timetable for completion of this process.
    Randy first began working for Phillips County in 1974 as the land use planner, and in 1983 he assumed the role of county administrator as well.
    “He was very respected,” said Commissioner Don Lock.
    Other county governments would regularly call him to ask advice, added Schroetlin.
    His credibility among his peers was recognized in November 2017, when Randy was named the Administrator of the Year by the Association of Colorado County Administrators. It was the second time he was awarded the prestigious honor.
    Joy said that as an “organizer,” it was very easy for Randy to work with people. “He made things happen without it having to be his way,” she said.
    Randy will especially be remembered for his teamwork and leadership in the past decade as he led the county through several building projects at the fairgrounds, which Schroetlin called “completely his vision.”
    The transformed fairgrounds complex now includes an event center, pavilion and education center, handicap-accessible playground, walking path and a water feature, which was Randy’s favorite.
    “If it hadn’t been for Randy, we might not have anything out there,” said Lock. “He was willing to work the extra hour to get the job done.”
    Commissioner Harlan Stern said Randy was an excellent grant writer. There’s no way to calculate the thousands of dollars that his hard work brought into the county.
    “The public doesn’t realize all the work Randy did behind the scenes,” he added.
    Despite the major accomplishments under his guidance, Schafer was always quick to praise others. He was always very gracious and very humble, said Schroetlin.  He treated people fairly and kindly, she said, adding that in her many years of working with him, she never heard him raise his voice.
    Randy was a tremendous mentor, said Commissioner Terry Hofmeister, noting his incredible knowledge and reliable memory that continually aided the board in a wide variety of topics.
    “His devotion to this county far exceeds anyone I’ve ever known,” said Hofmeister. “It will leave a huge void in our county that can never be filled.”
    Outside of the courthouse, Randy was involved on boards and committees for everything from economic development to health insurance, while also devoting time to things like the local library, his church and his family.
    Services for Randy are set for Thursday, March 21, at 11 a.m. at Phillips County Event Center, “the place he dreamed of for years before it became a reality,” said Joy.
    “In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation toward his last project, the Phillips County Pavilion and Education Center,” said Joy. “He would love that.”