Robert L. Shaffer

Mr. Robert Lynn Shaffer went to be with the Lord on March 9, 2018 after a courageous battle with heart and kidney failure. Robert passed away one month shy of his 83rd birthday. He was born April 14,1935 to Wesley and Bertha Shaffer in the riverfront town of Paducah, Kentucky.

When Robert was 3 years old, his family moved to Memphis,Tennessee, although, he never lost his family roots in Kentucky. As a boy, Robert loved going to his grandparents' farm in Kentucky. There were many different chores to complete at the Thompson family farm including barning tobacco. Robert's Aunt Eva and his uncles said he could, "Do a man's work," even at the young age of 10. He spent many summers working on that farm in Kentucky.

As Robert grew up in Memphis, he graduated from Central High School and studied one year at Memphis State College (now Memphis University). After that first year of college, Robert decided to join the Tennessee Air National Guard (active 1954-1962). The Guard sent him to California for his navigation training at Mather Air Force Base. Robert made the cross country trek on the legendary Route 66 to get to and from Mather AFB. He spent a couple of years there before returning to Tennessee to begin serving at the McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base.

Once back in Tennessee, Robert decided to visit his home church for one of their Sunday evening services. It was at that service when he saw the beautiful redhead across the room. He knew there was something special about her and he had to meet her. It wasn't long before he knew this woman was his forever love. On June 27, 1958, a year after their first meeting and courtship, Robert Shaffer and Carol Hays were married at 23 and 19 years old. It was unconditional love that stood the test of time. They were married for almost 60 years.

After Robert and Carol were married, Robert continued his education at The University of Tennessee and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Shortly after he graduated, he was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis. Robert and Carol uprooted and moved to Germany where he served at the Ramstein Air Force Base as a navigator with the 151st Fighter Squadron in the Air Force. In May 1962, while he was stationed in Germany, his jet fighter squadron flew a US Air Force record setting 836 hours and 5 minutes of flight time in one month. When he retired from his military service he was in the office of Captain.

Once back in the United States, Robert and Carol started a family. They had a wonderful life and family together with their three boys Walter, John, and Russell. As a dad, he stayed involved in his boys' lives supporting them and encouraging them throughout their youth and adult lives. Eventually the family began to grown and Robert was an adoring and adored Popa to his 7 grandchildren. If you listened closely, you could sometimes hear him singing "Be-Bop-a-Lula" to his grandkids, especially his granddaughters.

During his career, Robert took advantage of his University of Tennessee engineering degree. He first worked with Texas Instruments and then spent the majority of his engineering career (almost 30 years) with Kimberly-Clark. At Kimberly-Clark, Robert worked as a research scientist in the Research and Development department for Pull-Ups (parents, you are welcome). Once retiring from Kimberly-Clark, Robert found joy in playing golf and reading a lot of books. If he wasn't on the golf course, he was likely somewhere reading a book. The people at Mountain View Regional Library knew him well. Robert also became a "fixer of all things" in retirement. When he wasn't golfing or reading, he kept busy looking for things to fix or checking off items from the "honey-do" list.

Robert loved his family as well as his church family at First Baptist Roswell. His Faithful Friends Sunday School class held a special place in his heart. They are a wonderful supportive group of Faithful Friends that supported Robert and Carol, especially through the last few years.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Donna Shaffer Burleson. He is survived by his wife, Carol Shaffer, youngest sister, Joyce Shaffer Court, sons, Walter (Linda), John and Russell (Christine), as well as his grandchildren, Hunter (Deanna), Grant, Landry, Courtney, Zachary, Christian, and Hannah Rae.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 11:00 am in the chapel of First Baptist Church of Roswell with visitation and reception following, 710 Mimosa Blvd, Roswell, GA 30075. The interment service will be held at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton on Monday, March 26, 2018 at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the First Baptist Church of Roswell Benevolence Fund, 710 Mimosa Boulevard, Roswell GA 30075.

Scott Huskins Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements. 678.771.5566 | www.scotthuskins.com.

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