Robert L. Schaeffer was born on the old Schaeffer homestead in Richmond Township, Berks County, Dec. 23, 1881. His parents are George S. and Catharine Leibelsperger Schaeffer. His early years were spent on his father's firm. He attended the public schools of his native township and later the Keystone State Normal School. In the fall of 1901 he entered Franklin and Marshall College as a sophomore and was graduated in. 1904. While at college he was a member of the Goethean Literary Society and the College Ralston Club. In the fall of 1904 he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1908. After graduation he became resident physician at Methodist Episcopal Hospital at Philadelphia.

After serving a period of four months he was elected to a similar position at the Allentown Hospital. Upon leaving the hospital he became associated with Charles D. Schaefier, M. D. In the fall of 1912 he pursued a special course in the clinical laboratory of U. P. Dr. Schaeffer is a member of the Phi Rho Sigma Medical Fraternity, the American, the Pennsylvania State, and Lehigh County Medical Associations.