In Memoriam: Bob Shaffer

Rev. Bob Shaffer
January 7, 1930 ~ January 25, 2022

In deep sorrow we report the death of one of the great saints of the church, The Rev. Bob Shaffer. Shortly after his 92^nd birthday early in January long-standing heart issues worsened and he began a more rapid decline. Surrounded by his family and holding his wife Carol’s hand, he passed into the greater knowing and wider life with the God he loved and served his whole life on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.

Bob first came to Berea in the 1960s as an appointee of Sargent Shriver in the “War on Poverty.” As an organizer for much of south eastern Kentucky, he met and came to deeply love the spirit and character of the people he met. He was based out of Berea and that is where he first came to be friends with many Union church families, including life-long friends Loyal and Nancy Jones.

An ordained Presbyterian minister, Bob served churches in New Jersey and Kentucky (including a much regarded time at White’s Memorial Presbyterian Church) and he continued his long and mighty work as a social justice champion. To name just a few of the projects Bob instigated and supported: Banning the Long Form deed in Appalachia, organizing poor families to be heard in Frankfort, establishing Medicaid offices in the region, building affordable housing units based on dignity and respect in New Jersey, and confronting the dumping of nuclear waste in Irvine just a few years ago.

Bob will also be remembered for his willingness to come out of retirement to provide pastoral leadership during not one but two sabbatical leaves at Union Church, in 2002 and in 2008. He and Carol have contributed in wisdom and in wit ever since. Bob’s beautiful tenor voice ringing out before his beautiful prayers, his passionate drive for compassionate treatment of all God’s creation, and his boisterous, ringing laughter will forever be blessings I keep close to my heart. Bob is also the person who directly contributed the phrase “Boldly and Creatively” to our mission statement. It was not enough for him to embody the life of Christ, he said, but we should do so with all we have, in every new and creative way to meet the needs.

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Personally it is hard to find the words to express how grateful I am that he was my pastor when I have most needed one, and a mentor and a dear friend. I often joked that I wanted to be Bob Shaffer when I grew up. He would laugh and tell me that I should aspire to aim higher than that, but I’m not sure I know how.  He was a pastor’s pastor, wise without pretention, and driven by a love for God and God’s people we will scarcely see the like of again.

No arrangements have yet been announced, but the family have promised to share their plans as soon as any can be made. I hope you will join me in holding his children, grandchildren and many beloved colleagues and friends in your thoughts. It is no easy thing to lose someone we love; more so for having the privilege of their long life to get used to their presence. Please hold Carol especially in your prayers. Her dementia has meant particular struggles in Bob’s absence, but we are thankful that they made the move to Sewell where she is being well cared for.

For those of us who were lucky enough to have been prayed over by Bob, or had the pleasure of his waggish humor and quick mind, we miss keenly that power and that presence. Yet nothing would be more out of character than for Bob to refuse the chance to step out into the next great awakening. His time with us was long and fruitful, and brought both strength and joy to all God sent him to do. May the wider life and deeper love he served now welcome him home… and please God, give the man something to do! He’ll just make something up if you don’t.

With blessing and with tears,