Frederick B. Shaffer, Jr.

October 16, 1938 – January 11, 2023

Fred was born and raised in Somerset, Pennsylvania and graduated from Penn State with a degree in Physics. He moved to the Washington, D.C. region after college and married Janet in 1963. They met on a blind date and then went to a Maryland and Penn State football game. He never got over the fact that Penn State lost that game. He worked for the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt for forty years where one of his responsibilities included managing the supercomputer center. He loved the challenges of working at NASA and the many life-long friends that he made there. He even received a commendation from the President of the United States for his work at NASA.

He married Janet on June 29, 1963 and was frequently heard saying that he loved that little lady. He was devoted to her, and they never spent a night apart unless he traveled for work. They would have celebrated their 60th Anniversary in June. They attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Bowie, Maryland for many decades where Fred sang in the choir, served as Vice-President of the Congregation, was a member of Romeos (retired old men eating out), and served in other varied capacities.

Fred was a dedicated and devoted father to Kitty, Fred, and George. He took his then teenage daughter to a Rick Springfield concert in the early 80s where he felt out of place in his jacket and tie. He had a life-long love of reading which he passed on to his three children. His knowledge was encyclopedic on virtually all topics due to his extensive reading and love of learning.

He enjoyed bowling and participated in the Goddard Bowling League for many years leading one young son to tell classmates that his father drilled holes in bowling balls for a living. For exercise he walked extensively all over Bowie while talking about a wide range of topics with companions.

Fred was always considerate of others and prioritized family and the needs of others. Even when he was sick, he would thank the nurses and therapists, calling them angels of mercy. He is survived by his wife Janet, children Kitty (David), Fred (Pam), and George, and grandsons Benjamin (Katherine), Joshua, Jake, and Shawn. He is also survived by his brother Ron and sister Connie and preceded in death by his father Fred and mother Kitty, as well as his brother Tom. He was a loving father, husband, friend, and mentor to his family and will be missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Fred B. Shaffer Jr to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church at 6600 Laurel-Bowie Road Bowie MD 20715.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.robertevansfuneralhome.com for the Shaffer family.