Richard "Chubbs" Schaffer

Camper, Counselor (1962-1975), Alumni Leader



In 1962, "Chubbs" started out as a Rover at Tyler Hill Camp, at the age of 7. Known as a good athlete, great swimmer and a model camper, he was in every group at camp and eventually became a key member of Shelly Schneider's undefeated all-star basketball team. He was well known around camp as a likeable guy, and as a "schmoozer". Chubbs spirited attitude at camp won him two selections as a lieutenant general in Color War (1973-74).

But Rich Schaffer's greatest contribution to the Tyler Hill Camp family has been his efforts at reviving the spirit of Tyler Hill Camp's alumni. Back in the middle 1990's, there was a sense of disenfranchisement among many of the alumni. In the years that followed the end of the Bill Heft era, there had not been any reunions that attracted more than just a handful of alumni. People had moved on with their lives, as the memories of Tyler Hill Camp's "Golden Age" were fading away.

Rich came up with the idea of renting out Tyler Hill Camp, during the off-season, for a weekend reunion. He made scores of phone calls, reaching out to the many friends he made at camp. He also reached out to some of the alumni who were outside of his immediate circle. By the time he was done networking, he managed to get over 200 alumni, spanning all of the years from Bill & Joe’s watch. He was able to get Sy Sundick, Artie Sunshine, Herman Pingel, Jimmy and Marian Bongino, among many other alumni to attend this incredible weekend event. The camp cooperated in helping to provide the alumni with everything they needed to recreate their glory days, which included meals in the Dining Room, Color War, Hatchet Hunt, Banquet Night, lineups at the flagpole, sleeping in the bunks, an Apache Relay, Canteen Night, a party on the Waterfront Pavillion and a visit on horseback from "The Cisco Kid."

The event was filmed and turned into an award winning documentary by fellow alumni, Paul Sundick. The film leaves no doubt about the success of the event, as well as Chubbs' credit for making it all happen. His love of Tyler Hill Camp, along with his tireless ongoing efforts to keep the alumni connected to the camp and to each other has made Richard Schaffer a valued member of our Tyler Hill Camp family.