Obituary of Robert D. Schaffer

Robert David Schaffer, 88, of Clinton NY died on January 26, 2014 after a brief illness. He was a life-long educator who dedicated himself to nurturing and encouraging students seeking self-improvement, opportunity, and success. He was born May 23, 1925 in Buffalo NY, the youngest child of Benjamin Nahum Schaffer and Helen Greenberg. He graduated from Lafayette High School in Buffalo in 1943. He attended Oberlin College on a music scholarship for a year before being drafted into the U.S. Army. During World War II, he directed the operation of the largest recreation library in the European Theater, based at Heidelberg University in Germany. After the war, he returned to the University of Buffalo, first enrolling in the School of Law before transferring to social work and earning a B.A. in Sociology in 1948. He then attended the New York State College for Teachers at Buffalo, graduating in 1954 with an M.S. in Elementary Education. He ran a printing business and managed a movie theater among other post-war jobs. In 1950, he was hired by the Buffalo Public Schools to teach mentally handicapped children. In 1951, he taught 6th grade in the Palmyra-Macedon Central Schools before being hired by the Niagara Falls Public Schools, where he taught 5th and 6th grades from 1952-1964. He was president of the Niagara Falls Teachers Association and served for over a decade as delegate to the New York State United Teachers. He was also director of religious education at First Unitarian Church. In 1962, Bob's Ninety-Fifth Street School principal played matchmaker, introducing him to Ethel Howard, the school nurse teacher. After a whirlwind courtship, Bob and Ethel were joined in marriage on February 8, 1963, a loving union lasting more than 50 years. In 1964, Bob was appointed Associate Professor of Education at SUNY College of Oswego, where he led innovative programs in teacher training and preparation and taught classes in 6th and 7th grades at the Campus School. During these early years, Bob was an avid Boy Scout leader, leading troops in both Niagara Falls and Oswego, and directing youth programs at YMCA and Boy Scout camps during summers off from teaching duties. Bob also conducted band, chorus and orchestra in a variety of settings and sang professionally. In 1971, Bob was hired as Associate Professor of Education at Utica College, and moved to Clinton NY where he and Ethel purchased an historic home. At Utica College he taught courses in human development and education foundations while directing an innovative competency-based teacher certification project. He returned to classroom teaching in 1973, teaching in the Utica City School District at the Jones School and the Roosevelt School. In 1975, he began a new professional chapter as a career counselor working at the Career Development Centers in both Utica and Rome. He also volunteered at the Rome Developmental Center providing job training for mentally and physically handicapped adults. In 1983, he retired and began sharing his insights and experiences in a weekly radio feature "All About Work" broadcast on NewsRadio WIBX 950. He also contributed more than 100 regular columns in The Clinton Courier as "The Argus", commenting on social and political issues. Bob worked into his late 80s as an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Facilitator at the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees, Madison Oneida BOCES, and Literacy Volunteers of America Mid-York Inc. where he taught hundreds of immigrants to speak English, using volunteers from Clinton Central High School and Hamilton College. Bob read omnivorously and was deeply immersed in classical music and theatre. He taught several courses at the Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement (MVLIR) including "Magical Musical Moments" and a social issues course on "Sex, Politics and Religion." He was dedicated in his service to the community. He was President of the Church Council of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica and a lay preacher at local Unitarian congregations. He was Cubmaster of Pack 199 and Scoutmaster of Troop 199 in Clinton and served on many district level scouting committees. He was former chair of the Clinton Village Planning Board. Chair of the committee that wrote Clinton's Historic Preservation Law. Founding member, Revenue Review Task Force for Clinton Central Schools. Program Chair and newsletter editor for the Mohawk Valley PC User Group and a past member of the Hamilton College and Community Oratorio Society. He is survived by his wife Ethel, his daughter Ruth H. Schaffer, of Venice FL, his son and daughter-in-law, Howard B. and Rachel M. Schaffer, two grandsons, Boone T. Schaffer and Mack H. Schaffer, of Takoma Park MD. He was predeceased by four brothers and a sister. He is survived by his older sister Marjorie J. Shafer of Buffalo, NY. He is also leaves a dear friend and aide, Dmitry Shtarnov. Calling hours will be held from 4-6pm on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, 35 College Street, Clinton NY. A celebration of life service will be announced for a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Kirkland Town Library, 55 ½ College Street, Clinton NY 13323.