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RICHARD SHAFFER Obituary
RICHARD G. SHAFFER
On Wednesday, July 18, 2012. Born July 27, 1934, Canton, Ohio, his first loves were his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and Barbara, his wife of 55 years, and his three sons, Richard, Russell and Robert, their wives, and his nine grandchildren. Dick was the son of Lee and Katherine Shaffer, and brother of Lee, Jr. All predeceased him. He was a high school class president, a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and obtained his DDS from Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry. In 1960, he began a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy as an intern at Portsmouth, VA, and by 1984 rose to Rear Admiral and Chief, Navy Dental Corps. He and Barb loved the Navy and the countless lifelong friends they made. He retired in 1989 and then spent "10 fantastic years" in leadership with the International College of Dentists. Following his retirement from ICD, he filled the next 13 years volunteering wherever the need, including with the Red Cross at Bethesda Naval Hospital, where he had been commander at the end of his Naval career, and at McLean Bible Church, his cherished church home since the mid-1980s. Most of all he loved spending time with his grandkids and as much time as possible at Little Point Sable in Michigan. "Bop", as his family called him, was a leader all of his life, first to his family and then to many organizations and people. He had untiring energy, enthusiasm, and a gift for communicating and mentoring. In lieu of flowers, Dick asked that donations be made to Jill's House (jillshouse.org), or to ICD USA Foundation or to Montgomery Hospice of Maryland. A celebration of his life and worship of the Lord Jesus will be held at McLean Bible Church, 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182 on Saturday, August 4 at 11 a.m. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be at future date, to be announced.
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Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD SHAFFER
Tom Nicholas
July 19, 2024
Thanks for the reminder of such a good friend.
William Glen Golden
August 24, 2012
Dear Barb and Family,
We were so sad to hear hear of Dick's passing I heard about it from Jack Yorty as we talked this morning at WVU School of Dentistry. I have always had the greatest respect for him, and Louise served with him as the wive's club representative on one of the committees at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda. He could always brighten the day with his wonderful personality and his genuine care for those he served with and represented. The world has lost a great leader and a prime example of what a flag officer should be. Our prayers go out to you and your family.
Glen and Louise Golden, Westerville, Ohio
Richard Schneider
August 7, 2012
Dear Barb, Russ, Rick, Rob and families, Our deepest sympathies are with you in this time of great loss. Dick will always be one of greatest people I have ever had the pleasure and honor to have known. He was a giant of a man in every sense and totally commited to any endeavor he chose to pursue. The finest example of a family man and friend imaginable. We shall all miss him greatly and know he will live on in all of you and people he so touched. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all and are comforted by the thought of him in heaven. Love to you all. Dick Schneider
Amanda Winter
August 7, 2012
Dearest Barb and family,
Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you all. I have never known anyone as full of life and love as Dick. He has and always will be a man truly larger than life. He and all of you have been an ongoing inspiration and blessing throughout our lives. We love you dearly and are so grateful for your presence in our lives.
August 6, 2012
Barb,
Just learned of Dick's Homegoing in the LPS Current Announcements. We are both so sorry for your loss. For lots of Augusts one or both of you trudged up the drive and the steps of our cottage to see us. May the God of all comfort be with you these days. We'll talk on the phone before long.
Tom and Emily Nicholas
Cat DeBinder
August 2, 2012
Dear Barb,
I am SO sad for you and your family and the loss of Admiral Shaffer. He was a glowing example of genuine kindness, love and respect; there was nothing phony about him…he was the real deal. He was equally good to every life he ever touched…not just to those of importance or influence, but the “little” people too (the “me-type” people) …his only motive was heartfelt love. (I can't say that about every high-level leader who has come and gone through these doors, but he was exceptional.) I had the delightful experience of helping him administratively when he was at Bethesda as Commander, of what was then the Naval Medical Command National Capital Region (NMCNCR). I supported him administratively in his dual role as Chief of the Navy Dental Corps when I worked for the Assistant Chief of Staff for Dentistry. I'm SO glad he volunteered at the hospital after his retirement…it was added opportunity to know, love and be influenced by WONDERFUL him. My heart and my prayers are with you.
Paul and Linda Thompson
August 1, 2012
You are so much in our thoughts and prayers this week as you prepare to celebrate Dick's incredible life. We hope that you might get to LPS sometime in the late summer, to walk the Glen roads, watch the glorious sunsets, and visits with old friends who are missing you. Praying for God's comfort and peace to surround you all.
Steve Armstrong
August 1, 2012
Dear Barb and Family
So sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Get to the Point...it is a great place for healing
Steve, Heather and Chase
Ginnie Stehman
July 30, 2012
A time to celebrate his life, his gifts to all who knew him, and to his family who benefited so hugely. My heartfelt sympathy to all the Shaffers and especially to my dearest old old friend, Barbie.
Larry and Fay Walters
July 28, 2012
Dear Barbara and the extended Shaffer Family, Fay and I want to express our most sincere sympathy on the Admiral's passing. He was a great mentor and friend both in the Navy and afterwards. I have fond memories of Dick as a Red Cross Volunteer at NNMC when I was the Administrator, though it was always odd to see my former Skipper pushing a wheelchair or directing patients at the pharmacy entrance. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Most Sincerely, Larry Walters (Captain, MSC, USN (ret))
Jim & Anne Keresey
July 27, 2012
Dearest Barb and Family,
There is and ever shall be our wonderful Dick Shaffer!! Our hearts and minds are uplifted as we ponder Dick in the freedom and total ecstasy of Jesus' Glory-realm; but we are also grieving terribly for your present loss and ours! We love you all so deeply! We can't make it for the memorial, but Anne hopes to visit after awhile! With all His love within us, Anne & Jim and Keresey Family Jn.14:18
Skip Gore
July 26, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Skip and Marsha Gore
July 26, 2012
Prayers for your family.
Skip And Marsha Gore
July 26, 2012
I had the pleasure of working with Adm Shaffer while at Bethesda Naval and to see him as a volunteer as well as walking in our neighborhood. My grandson enjoys Jill's House. We will make a contribution in his name.
Alan S. Kaplan M.D.
CAPT USPHS (Ret)
Eugene and Linda Barron
July 26, 2012
Barbara and Family, The news of Dick's death was devastating to Linda and I. His home going however, is glorious and is an encouragement to us. We cannot imagine the sadness you are feeling. We will continue to pray for you. We have not spoken in years but we always knew you all were there and the impact you were having on many of our lives. I have no proper words to share for the way Linda and I feel about the Shaffer family. You and Dick were incredibly instrumental in our career and Christian walk. You all took us on at the beginning and never let go. Thank you Barb for sharing Dick and to both of you for your leadership in everything you did. We cannot think of one of you without thinking of the other; an amazing couple. Thank you. Love, Gene /Linda
Evelyn Burford
July 26, 2012
To the Shaffer Family,
I had the honor to have been on Admiral Shaffer's staff while he was the Chief, Navy Dental Corps at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
July 26, 2012
Dear Barbara,
I am so sorry for your loss. Dick was one of the finest people and officers I ever knew. I have many fond memories of our times at Rota and Bethesda. I will never forget his role in my retirement and will always be grateful for it.
Having lost the better part of my world two years ago, I believe I understand your pain. I am certain that God and your wonderful family will help you through this difficult time. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Phyllis Elsass
Diane & Tom Sugg
July 25, 2012
Dear barbara & family,
It is certain that Dick is at peace with his Lord. Now,it is left to us to morn his loss and to find our paths forward. To us Dick was a servant,a teacher, and friend. We will miss him.
Love & Sympathy,
Diane & Tom
Diane & Tom Sugg
July 25, 2012
Dear Barbara & family,
Surely Dick is a peace with his Lord. It is left for us to morn his loss, and in time to find our own way forward. Dick was a servant, a messenger and friend, and we will surely miss him.
Love and sympathy,
Diane & Tom
July 25, 2012
Dear Mrs. Shaffer...I am so glad I had you and Dr. Shaffer as a part of my life. Toni
July 25, 2012
RADM Shaffer was and still is one of the finest person's I have and will ever know. I am grateful for his mentoring and gracious spirit as my superior while serving under him at Bethesda in the late 80s. I am so very sorry to learn of his passing and encourage you to stay in Jesus The Christ. Chuck Ulmer (CAPT MSC USN, Ret)
July 25, 2012
Dear Barb:
We will miss Dick ever so much, but know that he is with God in Heaven which is where we will all be someday, God willing. It was a blessing in our lives to have served with him and to have had such a wonderful tour of duty in Bethesda with the both of you. We are sure that the Lord met Dick and pronounced him a good and faithful servant!! Our prayers are with you in your time of suffering!! Dick and Erlys
Greg Fisher and Family
July 25, 2012
Dear Aunt Barb, We are all thinking of you and the family during this difficult time. We will miss Uncle Dick greatly.
Love, Greg, Dena and the kids
July 25, 2012
Dear Mrs. Shaffer - I want to extend my heartfelt prayers and condolences. Dr. Shaffer has certainly been a true friend and guardian angel to us. May God's angels welcome him home to paradise and provide you and your family comfort and peace. With love, Angela Corio
July 25, 2012
Oh,the good times we've had. We are fortunate to count the Shaffers as our friends. Joe and Patty
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