Paul Walter Schairer

Paul Walter Schairer was born to Herbert and Mary Schairer on October 3, 1934, in Ann Arbor, MI. He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church. He was a graduate of Capitol University, Columbus, OH, and received a Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, IA. Paul married Mary Alice Baur on August 15, 1959, at Zion Lutheran Church, the church of their baptisms and confirmations.

Paul enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, reading, and golfing. Being a farm boy at heart, he enjoyed gardening at a significant level. Hearing a farm story as a sermon illustration was routine for both the primary congregations he served as well as the many interim calls throughout his career.

Pastor Paul, as he became known to the many churches he served, loved the Church and led the churches he served through processes of healing, transformation, and growth. The people in these ALC and ELCA congregations didn't take long to come to love Pastor Paul for his leadership style and capabilities, his preaching, and his strong commitment to the people of these congregations. He was a capable mentor for many associate pastors and interns.

Pastor Paul's career followed callings in parish ministry to St. James, Garden City, KS; home mission organizer at Peace in Joplin, MO; St. Matthew, Aurora, CO; St. John's of Saginaw, MI; and Faith of Bellaire, TX, until his retirement fifteen years later. This, however, was not really retirement—as he liked to ask, "Where does it say I am supposed to stop?" He served many congregations as interim pastor, including Joy, Parker, CO; St. Phillip, Littleton, CO; Trinity, Fort Collins, CO; Lutheran Church of Hope, Broomfield, CO; and others. Pastor Paul brought his gifts to congregations needing guidance through transitions and struggles. After his interim career, Pastor Paul continued to fill supply pastoral needs and served as visitation pastor at Trinity, Fort Collins, CO.

Paul also served the wider community in many ways. He served on the school board in Aurora as an early advocate for special education. He founded Mother's Day Out programs and day care/preschool programs that supported local parents. He was a strong supporter and advocate for twelve-step programs, providing spaces for groups to meet. He founded the Faith House, housing for out-of-town cancer patients and their families at MD Anderson Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife Mary Alice, his mother and father, as well as his brothers, Dale and Dean. He is survived by his children, Sandra Schairer, Jill Scott (Nathaniel), and Greg Schairer (Susan); grandchildren, Joshua (Juliette) and Zachary Schairer, Gregory, Jordan, Jacob, and Juliet Scott; and many nieces and nephews.

The service for Paul will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, CO, on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 at 10:30am. For those unable to attend in person, services will be live streamed via the Trinity Zoom Link

Interment will be at the Trinity Lutheran Church Memorial Garden in Fort Collins, CO, following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp, 805 South Shields St., Fort Collins, CO 80521.