Maestro Dick Shafer

This is a photographic image of Dick and Jo Shafer at a recent Ring gathering.

Maestro Dick Shafer has passed away. Below is a post from his son.

Dear Friends:
It is my sad duty to tell you that at 10:15 am on Saturday the  21st of March, my father, Walter Richard Shafer, known to many as Dick, Fuz or the Captain, died after a brief illness. My Mother Joanne, known to most as Jo or Muz, was with him as he passed. Also with him was my bother, Robert. Many of his family wished we could have been there at his side but were unable due to the necessary restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 crisis.

He is survived by son Richard, his wife Gwen and child Robert; son John, his wife Evelyn and their children Sydney and Mallory; son Robert, his wife Beth and their children Chris, Meghan, and Michael; and daughter Beth, her husband Pete and their children Ian and Calum. In addition, he is survived by the family of his German exchange daughter, Tanja and her husband Stefan, and children Jannek and Torben.

Fuz asked that he be remembered and his life celebrated with an appropriate event at a future date when we all can gather in safety.  Plans for a more formal memorial service are also in the works. We will inform everyone of both these events when we have a more definite time and place.

Shortly before his death, Fuz was able to join his extended family for a group teleconference. All of his children and their spouses, his grandchildren and his wife were able to see and speak to him. Despite his weakness, he was able to share this last meeting with the 17 people in the world who love him the most. He was a remarkable husband, father, brother, leader and friend. The world will truly be a poorer place for his absence, but he leaves behind an abundance of love and legacy that any person would envy.

John Shafer