BRECKENRIDGE – Commander Richard L. “Dick” Shafer, age 90 of Breckenridge, died Monday, June 13, 2011 at Abilene Regional Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 17th, at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Andrew Channer and Rev. Charles Kuhn officiating.
Richard Luther Shafer was born on June 3, 1921 in San Benito, Texas to parents, Noah Luther Shafer and Ethel Graves Shafer. He graduated from San Benito High School in 1938 and went on to attend North Texas State University. During his sophomore year of college, Dick joined the United States Navy as a naval aviator during WWII, flying both bomber and reconnaissance missions in the South Pacific. Honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross, Dick later earned the rank of Commander and continued his service until his retirement in 1969.
Dick met Ms. Bobbie Bledsoe, who attended Texas State College for Women, on a blind date during her freshman year and his sophomore year in Denton, Texas. They were united in marriage on June 1, 1944 in Monterrey, California. Dick’s last tour of duty with the Navy was in Corpus Christi, Texas where he was the head of aviation training for young officers for five years. Dick retired from the Navy and became the Dean of Administration at Del Mar Junior College from 1969 to 1981. He also completed his education at the University of Corpus Christi, earning his bachelor’s degree in history. Dick was an active member of the Parkway Presbyterian Church in Corpus Christi where he served in the choir.
After his retirement from Del Mar Junior College, Dick and Bobbie moved to Breckenridge, Texas, where they built a home on Hubbard Creek Lake. An avid birder, Dick enjoyed sharing his love of bird watching with others as he and Bobbie presented programs and lectures to many groups throughout the years. Dick also loved butterflies, gardening and photography. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Breckenridge where he served as the choir director for over thirty years. He was also member of the special singing group, the Breckenridge Music Men.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Richard Allan Shafer; two brothers, Glen Shafer and Charles Shafer and two sisters, Edith Bowie and Mildred Dill.
He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Shafer of Breckenridge; three children, Barbara Shafer Larson and husband, Robin of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts; Victoria Shafer MacFarlane and husband, Ken of Breckenridge; and Mark Shafer and wife, Mary of Shiner; seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Services have been entrusted to Morehart Mortuary.
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