Dr. Bertrand Shaffer

Quincy Dr. Bertrand "Bert" Shaffer of Quincy, age 76, died unexpectedly after three weeks of battling complications from heart surgery on Monday, May 5, 2008 at Boston Medical Center. His family was at his side. He had hoped to live to see his daughter, Pauline, graduate on May 17 from Wheaton College. His son, Alex, a student at the University of New Hampshire, visited him daily throughout his struggle. Both children especially mourn the loss of their future adult years with their dad. Dr. Shaffer was born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Manhattan, son of Dr. and Mrs. Louis Shaffer. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and from Brandeis University with a BA in American Civilization in 1952. His was the first class to graduate from the fledgling college. Dr. Shaffer earned his medical degree from State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, and entered the US Navy in 1958 as a flight surgeon. He spent some of his happiest years with his family as a navy doctor on Chi-Chi Jima, a Japanese-populated island in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged from the navy in 1963 and specialized in drug addiction as a psychiatrist in the US Public Health Service in Kentucky. He later obtained credentials in forensic psychiatry from Boston University's Law-Medicine Institute. He was Director of Legal Medicine, Region III, for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and Director of the Superior Court Clinic and the Quincy District Court Clinic. He was consultant psychiatrist to the Suffolk County Jail and Norfolk County Jail, and to Bridgewater State Hospital and Bridgewater Treatment Center for Sexually Dangerous Persons. He also ran a private practice, was a member of the faculty of Boston University, and Associate Chief of the BU Student Health Center. In his retirement, Dr. Shaffer was active in veterans' affairs. He was on the Quincy Veterans Council, was commander of the American Legion Post in Wollaston, and served for 23 years as commander of Quincy Jewish War Veterans Post #193. He was especially proud of their "Classmates Today, Neighbors Tomorrow" program which recognized local high school students' engagement in civic life. Dr. Shaffer is survived by the children of his previous marriage with Ingrid Shaffer, Pauline Rebekah Shaffer and Alexander Jacob Shaffer. Also by the children of his earlier marriage to the late Ingeborg Blass Shaffer: Catherine Diane Shaffer; Judith Naomi Shaffer; Louis Eleazar Shaffer; Michael David Shaffer, and Daniel Gustaf Shaffer. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Andy, Alyssa, Nahima, "JC," and Louis, as well as his cousin, Diane Gordon of Brookline. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral service at Schlossberg-Solomon Memorial Chapel, 824 Washington Street, Canton, at noon on Friday, May 9. Burial to follow at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon and memorial observance at the home of Ingrid Shaffer on Saturday, 7-9; Sunday, 1-6; and on Monday, 7-9. The Shaffer family would like to express their sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the nursing staff at Boston Medical Center for their expert, kind, and gracious care of Dr. Shaffer during his brief time there. Also, to Harvey Solomon of Quincy for his friendship and assistance with the JWV, and to George Nason of Wollaston, loyal helpmate in Bert's later years, and a friend for life. Donations in memory of Dr. Shaffer may be made to Quincy Jewish War Veterans, Post #193, c/o Harvey Solomon, 136 Albatross Road, Quincy, MA 02169. Call Schlossberg-Solomon Chapel at 781-828-6990 or see www.SchlossbergChapel.com for directions and further information.