D. Robert Shaffer

D. Robert Shaffer, age 84, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away at 2:17 A.M. on Sunday, May 10, 2015, at his residence. Robert was born on March 21, 1931, in Dayton, Ohio, the son of the late Paul R. and Louise M. (Lehman) Shaffer. The family resided in Vandalia, Ohio. Robert also grew up in Davenport, Iowa; Rock Island, Illinois; Missoula, Montana; Fresno, California; and Cour D’Alene, Idaho, as his father was at that time in charge of the Civilian Conservation Corps in those locations. Robert returned to Bryan in 1945 and graduated from Bryan High School in 1949. He married Alice Musser on June 19, 1955, in the Wesley United Methodist Church in Bryan and she survives. He was active in the Boy Scouts of American for 35 years, earning many merit badges, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow. As an adult leader, he earned the Silver Beaver Award. He served as Scoutmaster with Troop 16, and Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster of Aro Troop 121. Robert was a leader to the National Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge in 1957 and the Scout Jamboree held near Pike’s Peak in Colorado in 1960. Robert worked at the Ohio Art and Aro Equipment factories and then farmed for ten years for the county at the Williams County Home, as it was then called. He then began farming on the family farm east of Bryan that had been in the family since 1854. He enjoyed farming for the past 50 years and continued to be active until 2013. He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church of Bryan and maintained memberships in the Masonic Chapter #215, Bryan, the Northwest Chapter #45 Royal Arch Mason and Zenobia Shriners of Toledo. Robert served as a past board member of the Williams County Soil & Water Conservation and the board of Farmers Home Administration, Defiance. He served for several years on the Advisory Board of the F&M Bank in Bryan. He served on the Bryan School Board for four years. Robert also took an active part in the development of the Shaffer Track and Field. He was a past President of the Adult Farmers associated with the Bryan High School FFA Chapter and the Williams County Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Williams County Landmark board, the Williams County Genealogy Society and a member of the First Families of Williams County. Robert enjoyed fishing at Clear Lake, Indiana, where he maintained a cottage since 1960, but would always be anxious to get back to farming. He enjoyed woodworking and made many projects for home and farm, including an addition to the barn and a work shop on the family farm. Surviving in addition to his wife, Alice, of Bryan are two children, Linda (Jim) Sechler, of Monclova, Ohio, and Robert A. (Pamela) Shaffer, of Bryan; three grandchildren, Keith Sechler, of Monclova, and Tawni and Drew Shaffer, both of Bryan; brothers, Ben L. Shaffer, of Huntsville, Alabama, Richard A. (Fran) Shaffer, of Livingston, Tennessee, Silas H. (Monica) Shaffer, of Lewis Center, Ohio, and a sister, Judith (D. (Daniel) Flohr, of Williamsburg, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Paul R. Shaffer, Jr., who was assassinated in Iran in 1978, and William L. Shaffer; and a sister, Margaret E. Shaffer. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 14, 2015, with Reverend Jeffrey Motter officiating. Interment will follow in Shiffler Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy for D. Robert Shaffer are asked to consider the Williams County Humane Society, Wesley United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.