IN MEMORIAM: JOHN SCHAEFFER SHIELDS

John Schaeffer Shields, chairman of Schaeffer Manufacturing Co., passed away in December in St. Louis at the age of 91.

Described as being the spirit of the company, Shields was known for his love of Schaeffer's history and for keeping the company family owned for future generations.

Shields' business career began in 1951 when he was a top salesperson for IBM. Later he became one of the top estate planning and life insurance sales professionals in St. Louis, joining Projected Planning Co., and later as vice president of W Alfred Hayes & Co.

In 1981 his career took an abrupt turn. His family's company, Schaeffer Mfg. Co., suffered the tragic loss of its three principals: brother Tom Shields, president; brother Gwynne Shields, vice president and production manager; and Marty Schwab, vice president and national sales manager.

Rather than sell the company, Shields and his sister, Jacqueline Shields Herrmann, restructured the company so it could never be sold. The company would stay within the family to provide for future generations of Schaeffer family and associates.

Shields became chairman in 1981, and this began Schaeffer Mfg. Co.'s extended period of growth from $14 million in sales to approximately $140 million today. Schaeffer Mfg. Co. boasts over 600 associates and sells nationally, as well as internationally in 40 different countries.