Charles D. Schaeffer Jr. of Elizabethtown, Pa., died March 21 after a brief battle with mesothelioma. Born in 1948 in Allentown, he was the son of the late Charles D. Schaeffer, M.D. and Sallie Koch Schaeffer.

He attended the Lawrenceville School, in New Jersey. He graduated with honors in chemistry from Franklin and Marshall College. He received a Ph.D. in chemistry from SUNY Albany in 1974 and did postdoctoral work at Yale University. He joined the department of chemistry and biochemistry at Elizabethtown College in 1976 and spent his career there.

He published extensively in the field of organometallic chemistry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and enjoyed a decades-long collaboration with Claude Yoder at Franklin and Marshall. He mentored countless students, and his generosity had a profound impact on many lives. He served as department chair and was promoted to full professor. He retired in 2009 as A.C. Baugher Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus.

He was an avid astronomer and photographer and had an extensive classical music collection.

He is survived by a sisterg, Susan, of Wayland, Mass.

At his directive, there will be no services. Gifts in his memory may be made to Elizabethtown College, Institutional Advancement, 1 Alpha Drive, Elizabethtown, 17022. Please note “Schaeffer Memorial” on the memo line or online at www.etown.edu/give in support of chemistry and biochemistry.

Keller Funeral Home, Fogelsville is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.KellerFuneralHomes.com.