Harold G. Schaeffer

Harold G. Schaeffer, Real Estate Pioneer, dies at 89 Harold G. Schaeffer, longtime chairman of Kravco, one of the nation’s leading real estate development companies, died at the age of 89 at Penn Presbyterian Hospital on Saturday, June 17, 2017. Mr. Schaeffer joined Philadelphia’s M.A. Kravitz Company in 1957. He led its efforts in selecting sites and attracting anchor stores for the burgeoning shopping center sector, including its flagship King of Prussia Mall. After taking over leadership with his partner Arthur L. Powell, the newly named Kravco Company became one of the nation’s leading shopping mall development and management companies. Mr. Schaeffer also consulted on many charitable projects including for the Ford Foundation, Princeton University, and the Opportunities Industrialization Corporation. In addition, he advised on the Bedford Stuyvesant restoration; redevelopment of Boston’s Faneuil Hall; Portland, Maine; Saratoga, NY; Bethlehem, PA and other cities. A native Philadelphian, Mr. Schaeffer graduated from Central High School in 1945 and Temple University in 1950. He was later awarded an honorary doctorate from Temple’s Fox School of Business. He served in the Naval Reserve Program and then in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. Mr. Schaeffer was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, sailing, and flying. His incredible sense of humor brought joy to those whose lives he touched. He and his loving wife, Adele K. Schaeffer, have been dedicated philanthropists, supporting educational scholarships, the arts, education, medical research and clinical care. They have been longtime supporters of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Medicine, the Wistar Institute, the Academy of Music, the Philadelphia Orchestra, scholarship programs at Temple University and Gwynedd Mercy College, among many others. In addition to his wife, Adele, Harold Schaeffer is survived by three sons children Anthony (Katie), James (Nicole) and Robert (Stephanie); brother Raymond Schaeffer; and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Herman and Rose Schaeffer, and siblings Toby Wexler and Alfred Schaeffer. Relatives and friends are invited to services Tuesday, June 20, 1:00PM, Joseph Levine & Sons, 4737 Street Road, Trevose, PA. Interment follows at Roosevelt Memorial Park. Shiva will be observed at the residence of Nicole and James Schaeffer following burial until 9PM and again on Wednesday, June 21 from 6-9PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to The Wistar Institute (www.wistar.org).