C. Richard Shaffer

C. Richard “Dick” Shaffer, age 80, of Hollidaysburg, died Friday evening, March 12, 2021, at his residence. Dick was the son of the late Clyde and Bertha (Kelly) Shaffer of Belle Vernon, where he was born on Friday, Aug. 2, 1940, and raised until leaving in 1962. He married Judith Ann Long of Altoona, on Dec. 18, 1965, in Altoona.

Surviving are his devoted wife of 55 years, Judy; two loving daughters: Jill Denise Branter (Jim) of Hollidaysburg, and Jennifer Lynn Baiocco (Chris) of Schenectady, New York; three grandchildren: Aaron David Burger, Elijah Matthew Brantner, and Sevilla Annette Baiocco; and two nieces: Deborah Ann Gutherie (David) and Rebecca Sue Manack, both of VA.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Caroline “Carolyn” Ann Manack and Dick’s brother-in-law, Tony, of VA. He was the last surviving member of his parental family.

Dick was a 1958 graduate of the Rostraver Twp. School system in Belle Vernon. He graduated from Bethany College, Bethany, WV, in 1962 with a BA. In 1968 he graduated from IUP, Indiana, with an MA. He also did post graduate studies at Penn State. Dick loved to teach and he loved his students. He first taught and was the head basketball coach in Waynesboro, VA, at the Fishburne Military Academy, 1962-1964. He then taught at the Altoona Area High School from 1964 until his retirement in 1998. For a number of years he also taught courses for the Penn State and Saint Francis Universities.

During his teaching career, he was chosen for many awards and positions. Among these were that he was chosen to be the Social Studies Dept. Chairman as AAHS, the AASD’s Social Studies District Consultant, winner of the prestigious AASD’s CARE award for excellence in teaching, and although he did not win, Dick was once nominated for the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. He also was involved with the PCSS (Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies).

After his 36 years of working within his education families, Dick became a member of his second professional family, the Altoona Curve baseball organization. Beginning with the Curve’s first season in 1999, he served in various ushering capacities ranging from Head Usher to the Handicapped Gate ticket taker. In all, Dick worked for almost 20 seasons for the Curve organization.

For his civic duties, Dick once served on the Frankstown Twp. Sewer Authority. He also once served upon the Frankstown Twp. Zoning Board, serving briefly as Chairman until a stroke rendered him incapable of performing duties. Dick was not a joiner. However, at one time he was a member of Mountain Lodge 281 F&AM, Altoona Consistory, and the Jaffa Shrine, where he was a member of the Patrol.

A lifelong Protestant, Dick was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hollidaysburg, where at one time he was a member of the ushers, various boards, committees, and social groups. Dick had a great love for gardening, outdoor Christmas decorating, deer hunting, and his beloved Pitt Panthers. In the 1970’s and 80’s, Dick was the President of the Pitt Golden Panthers, Blair County Chapter.

Friends will be received from 6-8pm on Tues., Mar. 16, 2021 at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 1218 4th Ave., Duncansville, and from 10am until the 11am funeral service on Wed., Mar. 17 at the First United Methodist Church, Hollidaysburg. Pastor John A. Godissart will conduct the service. Interment will be in the Garden of Apostles at Blair Memorial Park, Bellwood.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church (801 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg, PA 16648) and/or Wounded Warrior Project (PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675).

The class is dismissed. The game is over. See you later?

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