death of BN/RC/NWA Capt. Lowell E. Schaper, age 89

[death flwnwst]

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, BN/RC/NWA Capt. Lowell E. Schaper

September 21, 1935 ~ March 29, 2025

 

After his military service and initially flying for Braniff, Lowell Edwin Schaper joined Republic Airlines 07-14-1983 and retired with Northwest Airlines.  Lowell’s daughter Lisa Schaper, now a retired Delta Air Lines pilot, hired on with Delta 01-17-1997. 

Please see Lowell’s biography below.

PCN memorial site https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2026/03/bnrcnwa-capt-lowell-e-schaper.html

 

Source: aviation friends and colleagues

Lowell's Obituary

 

Lowell Schaper passed away March 29, 2025 – He was 89 years old.  A Celebration of Life is planned for later in the Summer.

 

Lowell began his professional life serving his country in the Marine Corps.  After active duty he became a contract pilot for the Army flying Helicopters.  Lowell was hired by Braniff in 1966.  He was based in MSP and stayed until they shut their doors in 1982.  He was hired by Republic Airlines just a year later then transitioned to Northwest during the 1986 merger.  Lowell retired from Northwest in 1998.

 

In 1971 the Schapers acquired some property and finally decided to turn it into an apple orchard.  Initially they were just selling apples, but they then decided to allow customers to pick their own and enjoy other fun activities.  At one point they had up to 5,000 visitors per day on the weekends.  The business model changed through the years and the Schapers finally sold the business.

 

Lowell is survived by his wife, Phyllis, who is a resident of Harrison Bay Senior Living in Mound, MN; a daughter, Lisa, who is a retired Delta pilot living in Newnan, GA; and three sons, Scott, Jay and Craig, all living in Minnesota.