"Bob & Esther, I am so very, very sorry for your loss of Bobby. It is never easy losing a loved and especially an olny child. I will be thinking about as your hearts are mending. Patty McGohan-Richenberger"
In loving memory of
Robert "Bob" Shaffer
August 5, 1947 - July 16, 2009
Robert G. Shaffer II, 61, passed peacefully on Friday, July 10, surrounded by loved ones, at the Mercy Hospice in Johnston, IA. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation in Des Moines, to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 14 at Caldwell-Raddatz Funeral Home, 8201 Hickman Road. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 15 at Camp Dodge Chapel, Johnston, followed by lunch. Additionally, visitation in Mt. Pleasant will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, July 16 at Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel in Mt. Pleasant. Graveside services with military honors will be held at Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, immediately after the visitation, followed by a time of food and fellowship. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to Kid's Wish Network, Henry County Animal Rescue Organization, and Mercy Hospice of Johnston, Iowa. Born August 5, 1947, in Ottumwa, IA, and raised in Mt. Pleasant, Bob was the only child of his loving parents, Robert and Esther (Van Ee) Shaffer. He was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School, Iowa Wesleyan College, US Army Engineer School in Ft. Belvoir, VA, and the Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, KS. He retired in 2000 after 30 years of service with the Iowa National Guard at the rank of Colonel. Bob loved his career in the military and proved his dedication by continuing on at Camp Dodge as Director of Facilities, providing service and leadership to the guard until his final retirement in September of 2007. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion of Foreign Wars. Bob found joy in long afternoons on the golf course, mushroom hunting with friends and family, and providing food and care to all creatures great and small. Spending time at his beloved farm provided peace and renewal. Giving generously to those in need was a passion. His family and friends will be forever touched by his strength, determination, and lively sense of humor. Bob is greatly loved and missed by his parents, Robert and Esther Shaffer of Mt. Pleasant, IA; his daughter, Kristy Shaffer of Corpus Christi, TX; his wife, Fae Erickson Ramsay of Des Moines, IA; her two children, Genevieve Ramsay of Des Moines, IA and John Ramsay of Des Moines, IA; step-grandchild, Jonah of Des Moines, IA, and close family friend, Randy Ford of Mt. Pleasant, IA.
Tributes
"Bob was a great friend..a kind and caring person. I looked forward to seeing him when I came back to Mt. Pleasant. Loved visiting with him at " the farm" and enjoying a camp fire and talking about " the good old days" He will be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him but he won't be forgotten. My prayers go to Bob and Ester, his wife and his daughter. Connie Mc Clure Church"
"Bobby Shaffer was my neighbor and childhood friend from Kindergarten on... Most of my memories are kid memories like the fact that Bobby collected hats--he had one for every occasion and every occupation. The neighborhood got such a kick out of watching him play--if the topic of play changed, he was in and back out of the house with a change of hat to fit the mood."
"I first met Bobby in the 6th grade at the junior high school when my country school (Pleasant Point) west of Mt. P. closed. I want to say it was Mrs. Traut's class. I sat right behind Bobby, who was seated in the front of the row for some reason (I later figured that seating arrangement out). On a few occasions, Bobby visited our farm. On one such visit, Bobby was helping with the barnyard chores. For some reason, I had occasion to bang an aluminum shovel on a cow's horn. Bobby immediately broke down and cried and cried. (As recently as just this past year, in a phone conversation with Bob, he recalled that incident...some 48 years ago. We both enjoyed a good laugh.) My brother, Steve, and I also were able to "go to town" and stay with Bobby at his house. On many occasions we played wiffle ball in his back yard, adjacent to Carolyn Padley's house. We also went trick-or-treating with Bobby...pranks we pulled would further justify his front row seating in school. Our junior year, I sat next to Bobby in the back of typing class with Miss Romkey...he never did master the "no look at the home keys" requirement she strongly enforced. Bob's mom, Esther, passed news of Bob's illness to me via my sister...maybe a couple of years ago. I had the good fortune to speak with Bob on maybe four occasions in the past two years, the last time only about two months ago...catching him in his truck outside the Hy-Vee store in Mt. P., heading to "the farm" (south of Mt. P.) to spend time with his parents. On an earlier one of our calls, I spoke with Bob while he was sitting on the porch of his trailer on the farm watching the wild life eating from the various offerings of food Bob was serving up. Bob is gone now...but will never be forgotten."
"I was so sorry to hear of Bobby's death this morning. What a shame to lose a classmate so young. I knew he was sick but he quietly didn't tell anyone how sick he was.. I spent a lot of time in high school with Bobby and have some great memories of him. I remember his parents 57 Buick and his 63 Yellow and Black Rambler, that he lost in a fight with a black angus steer just east of town. I remember that he was a really tough guy on the football field and even though he was small, he earned a spot on the kickoff team with his hard work. I remember that we spent a lot of time chasing girls in New London and that he ended up catching one. I also remember that we were pall bearers for Mike O'Connor when he was killed in Vietnam in 1967. Bobby and I were friends. He is gone now but certainly not forgotten. Mike Young"
"My dearest Bob and Esther, what can I say but that I'm shocked to hear about Roberts' death. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely with love, Ginny Butcher"
"It is always sad to see that another of our Class of 65 has passed away. I'm sure we will all remember Bobby fondly and I wish peace for his family as they adjust to his loss."
"Esther and Bob, Robert was a friend of mine since the 6th grade. I cherish the phone calls he and I had over the past two years. We were able to share such great memories. He will truly be missed by his classmates of '65 and all who had the privilege to know him. You are in our thoughts and prayers."
"IT IS ALWAYS HARD TO LOSE A LOVED ONE. BOBBIE WAS ALWAYS NICE AND TALKED TO ALL HIS CLASSMATES.HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.PRAYERS ARE SENT TO YOU,HIS FAMILY."