Dr. Edward J. Schaaf, DDS of Chicago, IL, born October 24, 1931 to the late John and Margaret Schaaf. He is survived by his former wife Margaret, his loving children Rita (Lawrence) Burns, Peter Schaaf, Anna (Charles) Vandenburgh, Christine Schaaf (Steven Gross), and Paula (Peter) Hand as well as the joy of his golden years, his grandchildren: Nicholas Burns, Sarah Burns, Jonathan Vandenburgh, Christopher Vandenburgh, Matthew Vandenburgh, Henry Gross and Ethan Gross.
Dr. Schaaf began his life in the Englewood community, attended St. Ignatius College Prep, graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH in 1953 and then attended Loyola Dental School in Chicago where he completed his DDS in 1957.
He started a dental practice in the South Shore neighborhood in 1958 and was well known as a caring, gentle dentist. In his later years, he was referred to as the "biking dentist" as he rode his bicycle to his office every day, rain or shine, snow or sleet. Bicycling was his passion as well as a mode of transportation. He practiced dentistry in South Shore for 52 years, until 2010, when failing eyesight and beginning Parkinson's Disease caused him to retire.
During his dental career, his faith, and compassion lead him to start a Free People's Dental Clinic in the basement of St. Basil's Church in Englewood serving the uninsured and underprivileged. He served as dental director for 23 years and was quoted in an article in 2006 : "I felt this was what God wanted me to do at this time in my life". He helped hundreds, perhaps thousands of the working poor of the community, all free of charge, and gave them a new smile and hope; as one patient said,"he's an angel". Dr. Schaaf was a distinguished member of the Chicago Dental Society and in 2012 received the Vision Award for more than two decades of outstanding volunteer achievement and philanthropy. Throughout his lifetime he fiercely advocated for civil and human rights.
After his retirement, he enjoyed time with his family, especially his grandchildren. There was not a birthday, graduation, or any celebration that he would miss. He lived happily at Montgomery Place in Hyde Park for 4 years, where many of his former patients remembered him and still shared a laugh with him. He was known for his wit, kindness and sense of humor...always a smile for the "tooth fairy" as he was affectionately known. The last few months of his life he resided at St. Joseph Village where he received wonderful care from the staff as well as from Journey Care Hospice. He was a tremendous inspiration to his children, grandchildren, patients, colleagues and friends.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 8, 2018 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Kenny Brothers Funeral Directors 3600 W. 95th St. Evergreen Park, IL. Funeral Monday, July 9, 2018 morning prayers from Kenny Brothers at 9:00 a.m. to St. Germaine Catholic Church 9711 S. Kolin Ave Oak Lawn, Il. Mass 9:30 a.m. Interment St. Mary Cemetery Evergreen Park, IL. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Catholic Charities.
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