Robert Edson Shafer

Robert Edson Shafer July 3, 1923 – September 5, 2013 Born July 3, 1923 in Hartford, Michigan to Dell and Ruth Shafer, our father built a prosperous life that revolved around his love of the outdoors and adventuresome curiosity. As a Captain in the US Army Air Corps from 1942 – 46, he was stationed in both the United States and European Theatres of Operation. A member of the 441st Troop Carrier Group, he participated in the Normandy Invasion and was among the first American soldiers in Berlin after being dispatched to secure the Tempelhof airport in May of 1945. After the war, Robert moved to Alaska to pursue adventure and an education. He worked on the construction of the Alaska Highway as well as on gold mining dredges north of Fairbanks. In 1947, he and five friends set out to drive Jeeps along the Pan American Highway from Alaska to Argentina. He received a degree in mining engineering from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he met and married Elizabeth Donnelly, a registered nurse, in 1949. This fruit farmer and independent mining consultant grew his family to six children – Sharon Fessenden (Zef); Stephanie Shieldhouse (Richard); Patricia Badland (Charles); Martha Shea (Larry); Mark (Simona) and Matthew (Kendra) – and 10 grandchildren. After living in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, New York and South America, they settled their children in Lakeland, Florida. Mining took him overseas to six of the continents and over 50 countries around the world. Every summer, Robert and Elizabeth would pack up the kids and animals in the family station wagon to spend the summer in Hartford, Michigan, working the family fruit farm. Lakeland was home for over 30 years, before moving to Tallahassee to be near children and grandchildren. Robert looked forward to every morning – to feel the parchment of the daily town paper, complete the crossword, enjoy novels and fill his retirement years with trips to the library, senior center, the grocer and daily walks around Lake Ella. In addition to his kids and grandkids, he is survived by his brother, Steve Shafer (Ginny). Bevis Funeral Home, 850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Tributes

Robert Edson Shafer

July 3, 1923 - September 5, 2013