Columbia man dies in motorcycle accident
COLUMBIA – A Columbia man died Thursday morning after crashing his motorcycle.
Clifford Schafer, 59, died when his motorcycle hit an embankment.
Schafer was traveling north on Forum Boulevard when his motorcycle crossed into the southbound lanes, onto the southbound shoulder, and eventually off the road, hitting the embankment. Schafer was wearing a helmet, the Columbia Police Department reported. No other people or vehicles were involved in the incident.
Schafer was a retired cartographer for the U.S. Geological Survey and a master controller at KOMU/Channel 8. He was a motorcycle enthusiast, poet and singer.
Originally from the Salem area, Schafer loved riding motorcycles. He once rode a motorcycle across nine countries in Europe with his wife, Connie Schafer, including England, France and Italy. The trip served as the couple’s honeymoon.
“He would do anything for anybody,” Connie Schafer said, adding that everything he did was out of kindness and generosity.
Schafer published a book of poetry called “Scribblings” in 2007. He also sang with the Rolla Chamber Singers several years ago, before moving to Columbia.