Albert Henry ‘Kip’ Schaaf was the son of a diplomat and so spent his early years living overseas. Kip graduated high school in Bangkok, Thailand. His teenage years were quite different from most of his peers, so the utter shock of day one of Beast Barracks must have been doubled for Kip. He arrived with a golf bag over his shoulder and a small suitcase in hand. We can only imagine the reaction of the Cadet in the Red Sash when Kip reported in.

Kip adapted and got through Beast. He was one of the squarest of pegs to fit into a round hole, but he made it. Perseverance was one of Kip’s strongest attributes.

Kip was smart, thus he was able to meet and exceed academic standards. He was not a physical powerhouse but was gifted with stamina and balance. Kip met his athletic requirements with help from his D-3 classmates in intramural track and soccer. In turn, he helped many of us goats with academics. Kip was a true friend to everyone in D-3. Sometimes his innocence was a challenge for us, as when we needed him to be tough. He was a Beast Detail platoon sergeant. He could not be the “bad cop” or even “decently tough cop.” He was just Kip, which meant “good cop” was the only role he could play.

Chris Sautter, Donnie Randolph, and others were forming B Arnold and the Traitors and needed a bass player. Chris thought this might be the way to get Kip to escape his shell. Kip became part of the band and played for many years at our reunions.

Following graduation, Kip broke his ankle on his second to last jump and was not able to complete Airborne School. He insisted in going through a second time and did so successfully. Later, Kip did not pass all of his patrols in Ranger School. We again witnessed his grit. He fought hard to re-enter Ranger School. To this day Kip is the only grad that we know who insisted on going through Airborne and Ranger training twice each. He got his wings and Ranger tab. He held his head up proudly amongst his peers.

Kip entered the Corps of Engineers and served as company commander with the 8th Engineer Battalion at Fort Hood, TX before resigning his commission in 1975.

Kip was driven to become a pilot, and this call took over for the remainder of his life. After obtaining his flight tickets in the late 1970s, he worked through several companies, including the Flying Tigers, and finally was selected as a pilot for Southwest Airlines.

Throughout civilian life Kip took on a mission to become the “glue” that held his D-3 classmates together, far and wide around the world. For almost 25 years Kip would travel looking up and spending time with almost all of the D-3 “Warriors.” He was an inspiration to all of us and continued to keep the group in touch with one another. Lord only knows how many miles he logged going to see not only his mates but their families too. He came to our weddings and our children’s weddings. We even set him up with blind dates.

Kip was selfless to a fault. When one of our D-3 brothers had his Corvette in for repair and unavailable for his wedding in Florida, Kip, while in Ranger training for the second time, loaned his Corvette to the groom. This was not a one-time event. Kip repeatedly lent his prized Corvette out to classmates whenever they were in need.

One of our favorite stories involves Kip’s sense of timing. When stationed at Fort Benning, GA, Kip frequently dropped in unannounced at Greg and Susan Foster’s apartment, always right at dinner time. Invariably, Susan had fixed dinner just for two, meaning they had to stretch rations and improvise. Kip ate everything that wasn’t nailed down, and he wouldn’t hesitate to accept, when offered, the last serving of Greg’s favorite dish, whatever it was. And then he would stay and stay and stay. One time, Greg and Susan had to be someplace after dinner. Greg said, “Kip, we’re gonna have to leave in a little bit.” Then, “Kip, we have to go.” Finally, as they drove off, with Kip standing in the doorway, Greg yelled, “Don't forget to lock up when you leave.”

Kip was a compassionate man. Year after year he gave up his vacations and free time to fly for “Angel Flights” and “Doctors without Borders,” often to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.

The last time we all saw Kip was at a Company D-3 mini reunion in North Carolina in July 2003. Two months later Kip was visiting our D-3 classmate Jon Anderson in Florida. Kip and Jon were flying in a World War II-era Grumman Albatross when it lost power on takeoff and crashed near Port St. Lucie, FL on September 25, 2003.

Here was a man out of whom the mold was formed for decency, honesty, loyalty, humility, and humor. He kept none of these for himself but shared them with all those he touched. That’s who he was as a cadet and what he maintained for the rest of his life. We will miss you Kip, as you had a hand in making each and every one of us a better person. Rest in peace. We shall see you soon.

— C.J. Nesbitt and Company D-3