I hated to hear of Dr. Schraffner's passing. He saved my grandson's life in 1994. We took him to Scottish Rite Hospital on a Thursday night and Dr. told us he wouldn't have lived past Saturday(he was already lethargic).He went in & did emergency surgery that evening . Brandon was 12 months at this time. When he hit 18 months he had to operate again for scar tissue. It seems he had intuceception(sp?),which is a bowel blockage. He is now 26 and is doing well. His two stomach scars are barely visible as Dr. S did such a fine job.Our family loved Dr.S to death. Thank you to the family for sharing him with the rest of us.

We were saddened to hear of your loss. Please accept our deepest condolences. We met Dr. Schaffner in December 1986 when our six-week-old son Michael was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis. The fix, a small incision to weaken the constricting muscle,  was routine for someone of Dr. Schaffner's skill but it was terrifying for new parents. Dr. Schaffner literally held our hands to reassure us. We were grateful at the successful outcome. This was not to be our only interaction with Dr. Schaffner, however. Eight months later, Michael was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma. Dr. Schaffner performed the biopsy that confirmed the diagnosis and later installed the central line for the chemotherapy that followed. After many months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, the tumor had shrunk to the point that it was operable. Prior to the surgery, Dr. Schaffner met with us to discuss the challenges that he faced. Because of the tumor's location, it was a daunting task. Again, Dr. Schaffner's kindness and compassion reassured us. Because of Dr. Schaffner's skill, the tumor was successfully removed. We will never forget his partner, who was of Greek heritage but whose name we cannot recall, saying after the surgery "we got it all." We were at once elated and relieved. Today, Michael is a staff attorney for Judge Jason Harper in Henry County. His and our debt to Dr. Schaffner is immeasurable. We hope that our story of how Dr. Schaffner touched our lives gives you comfort at this difficult time.
Mike and Vicki Profit
mvprofit@bellsouth.net

Todd and family, I am sorry for your loss. As I am currently in college pursuing a career in the medical field, I have thought about the wonderful doctors that have influenced me. Todd, in the brief time I met your father, I knew he was a caring individual. I knew he must have been a great doctor. He is one of the individuals that I can look back at that has helped me make my career decision. Thank you Dr. Schaffner. And again, I am so sorry for your great loss. Love, Susan Chance

I will always be thankful for the patience that Dr. Schaffner had for families and the staff as we worked together for the best outcomes for our patients. I will always remember the inspiring and sometimes tedious call hours that we worked together. He had such a wonderful sense of humor too! I am grateful for the many wonderful teaching moments that he so generously shared with all of us. 
May his family be blessed with knowing they had one of God's greatest gifts. He will live on in their memories and in all the lives that he touched!

Dear Beloved Schaffner Family,
You were all such a special part of my childhood. My strongest memory of Dr. Shaffner was on the Crested Butte ski trip where he took the time to check on me every single day and nurse my horrible sunburn. He was so full of kindness. All of you are. I wish I could find the words to let you know how much I am grateful for all the love, kindness and joy your family always gave me. My heart and prayers are with you.

love,
Dawn Koehler Dwyer

Pat, Todd and Heidi....I just heard of Dr. Schaffner's passing. I respected him so and I am honored that I was able to work with him in his practice. I thought of him and your family over the years and kept you in my prayers. I will continue to keep you in my prayers.  I truly love the Schaffner family.

You were the only person that ever listened to me.  I know life is complicated and work gets in the way of real life.  But the brief time I experienced with you was a period of one that involved you listening to what I had to say verses what you had to say.  I love you, and I am sorry for everything.... if I could have changed anything for the best I would have. I had a father, and a dad, a mother, and 5 brothers and sisters.  In a few brief moments you impacted my life more then all them combined.  Thanks for listening DOC.  I love you.  I wont miss you because I know your watching us all sitting right next to GOD.  The only regret I have is that life took much of my time and prevented me from being around you more.  Or maybe I was just to afraid of looking at you in your state and feeling helpless.  God I wish you were here right now.  I love you.  I miss you so bad.  God bless you Sir.  I will do the best I can to stand up to the standards you would wish from me.

FIND A CURE FOR ALS  PLEASE

Dear Pat, Todd, and Heidi, 

I was just thinking about you all, and I am so saddened to hear of Don's passing. I have nothing but wonderful memories of him! I know he cherished each of you. Even as a kid, that was obvious to me. You, and all of your family, are in my heart and thoughts. 

Much love,
Dena Friedman Williams

Dear Pat, Todd, Heidi and family,

It was with great sorrow that we heard of Don's passing.  He was a true "mentsch" in the fullest sense.  
May you come to find comfort in this time of sorrow and may his memory be a blessing to you.

The word hero is so overused, but it is completely fitting when
talking about Dr. Schaffner.  Dr. Schaffner saved my son's life when he was just six weeks old.  
As my son spiraled down from a fever and was becoming dangerously dehydrated, no one could get an IV into his tiny veins because they had collapsed.  Many hours had passed as I sat outside of the emergency room listening to his cries becoming weaker.  
One nurse, one head nurse and one anesthesiologist had all followed protocol, (they each had two chances), trying to get his tiny veins to accept the life saving IV.....all six attempts failed.
When the door opened and this doctor went in, I could see discarded needles, paper and spots of blood all over the floor and my child continued to whimper.......
Dr. Schaffner walked in, put my son on a papoose board, tried to put the IV in his forehead, failed and then tried his heel.  He was successful.
That boy is now 21, played varsity sports all through high school, performed leads in musicals and is a rising senior at Georgia Tech.
My family will pray in thanks for this hero tonight knowing that many others surely around the world will be saying the same prayers.
Thank you, God, for this man.

All three of my children had a procedure with Dr. Schaffner and he treated each with expertise and compassion with the love of his specialty. As a Nurse and Nurse Practitioner, it was an honor to learn from him as he was an extraordinary teacher. My memories are filled with friendship, smiles and so many stories over the years! Pat, and the family...peace to you all.

May all your great memories of all the good that Don brought to the world bring a smile to your faces and a warmth to your heart.
Thinking you 
Tom and Susie

Please accept my sincerest sympathy on the passing of Dr. Schaffner.  I worked at Scottish Rite many years ago and knew him to be professional, honorable, caring and  an excellent surgeon.

Dear Pat and family
We have list a real gem. So many memorie.  From the time we first met in 1986 at what was then Scottish Rite I knew that Don (to me Dr Schaffner) was someone to strive to be. We have all missed him over the years and will always mss him.

OBITUARY

Donald Paul Schaffner MD

June 13, 1945 – July 21, 2016

H.M. Patterson & Son-Arlington Chapel

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