Local News

Longtime teacher had profound presence in classroom

Shaffer spent most of retirement as usher for the Curve

C. Richard "Dick" Shaffer touched the lives of many in Altoona and Hollidaysburg.

The Belle Vernon native established roots in Blair County when he began his teaching career in 1964 at Altoona Area High School, where he stayed for 34 years.

A social studies teacher, Shaffer was admired and respected by his students. Former colleague and current AASD teacher Kim Shope remembers Shaffer for his profound presence in the classroom.

Shaffer died Friday at the age of 80.

"He was always in command of his classroom, not through fear, but through inspiring his students to be interested in American his­tory and government," Shope said. "He demanded a lot from his students, and I believe that only intensified their desire to perform at

higher levels so as to not disappoint a teacher who clearly loved teaching and working with students."

Shope's relationship with Shaffer extended beyond the school building, though.

"Dick Shaffer was not just a colleague, but a friend," Shope said. "(He was) a compassionate man who took a fresh-out-of-college young woman from rural Pennsylvania under his wing."

Shaffer spent his time post-retirement as an usher for the Altoona Curve. Derek Martin, the team's general manager, met him when the former began working with the Curve in 2003.

"Mr. Shaffer always knew how to lighten the mood and put a smile on your face," Martin said. "Dick always told me if you can't have fun working at a baseball stadium, you have bigger problems to figure out, and then he would always figure out how to swing the conversation to be about the Pitt Panthers."

A man of faith, Shaffer attended First United Methodist Church of Hollidaysburg, where Pastor John Godissart got to know him well over the course of almost seven years.

"He had a wonderful sense of humor and was loved by many," Godissart said.

Toward the end of his life, as he suffered from various health problems, Shaffer's faith grew stronger, according to his pastor.

"As time went on and Dick came to the realization that his illness was terminal, he seemed to be more at peace with God," Godissart said. "I will miss the smiles and laughter that were present when he was around. He was a lot like Barnabas in the New Testament. He was an encouragement."

Mirror Staff Writer Andrew Mollenauer is at 814-946-7428.