Maryland Defense Force Lt. Col. Brett Schaffer Passes Away

By MAJ (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
30 May 2013

On May 4, 2013 Lt. Col. (MDDF) Brett Schaffer passed away. Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer served with distinction in the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) for several years. He most recently served as the executive officer of the MDDF Troop Command and performed in the MDDF Band as a percussionist and section leader. Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer’s military career started with the Maryland Army National Guard (MDARNG) where he served as an infantryman in the 115th Infantry Regiment. His military service continued as a member of the 229th Band of the MDARNG. Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer initially joined the MDDF as an officer in the Judge Advocate Corps before transferring to the Troop Command.

As a civilian, Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer worked as a civil litigator with the prestigious Baltimore law firm of Cohen, Snyder, Eisenberg and Katzenberg, P.A. Prior to joining the firm, Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer served the State of Maryland as Assistant Attorney General and as Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore County.

Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer was a consummate professional musician. He performed in the Baltimore area for several years as a commercial instrumentalist for social events. During his career he played for several bands including Kol Chayim and Lox and Vodka. Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer had nearly 60 years of experience as a percussionist.

Lt. Col. (MDDF) Brett Schaffer was a proud graduate of Pikesville High School and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He continued his education at Loyola University in Maryland where he received a master’s degree in clinical psychology and at the University of Baltimore School of Law where he received his juris doctor degree.

Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the commanding general of the MDDF stated that,”Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer was an outstanding state soldier and will always be remembered for his many contributions to the MDDF.” “He worked tirelessly no matter what the mission and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”

Click here to view the Baltimore Sun obituary of Lt. Col. (MDDF) Schaffer.

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: http://mddf.maryland.gov/.