Robert "Red" Shaffer

Robert G. Red Shaffer, 93, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, passed away Saturday, October 20, 2018, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, October 29, 2018, at Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial Chapel with Ned H. Fry officiating. Burial with military rites by the Henry County Honor Guard will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Following the graveside committal, friends and family are invited to the Mt. Pleasant V.F.W. for a pot-luck lunch in Reds memory. In lieu of flowers, gifts of love and friendship may be given to Mt. Pleasant V.F.W. Post 2561

Born August 5, 1925, in Oskaloosa, IA, Robert Gene was the son of Emmett Shag and Zella Mae Blaylock Shaffer. He was a 1945 graduate of Oskaloosa High School and attended Iowa State University. On September 20, 1947, Red married Esther J. Van Ee in Oskaloosa.

On October 12, 1943, Red was inducted into the United States Army at Camp Dodge, IA. He served as a construction foreman with the 27th Engineer Battalion as an NCO. During World War II, Red served in campaigns on New Guinea and in the Philippines. He returned from active duty after out-processing at Fort Leavenworth, KS, on February 11, 1946. Red completed his military career, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel (breveted) from the Iowa Army National Guard, after serving from January 3, 1949, until January 20, 1974.

Red began a long career at the Henry County Engineers Office on September 19, 1947. He was an assistant to the Engineer and retired on December 30, 1985. During this time, he was an assistant to five county engineers.

A devoted husband, Red enjoyed farming, mushrooming, and an afternoon on the porch at the farm with friends. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. and American Legion. He was a member of TFSR Deer Camp.

Along with his loving wife, Esther, of seventy-one years, Red is survived by a daughter-in-law, Fae Erickson Ramsey of Des Moines, IA; two step-grandchildren, Genevieve (Brandon) Hays and John Ramsey; a niece Pam Morrison; and several close friends.

Red was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Robert G. Shaffer II.