Charles "Chuck" Albert Shafer's Obituary
Annapolis resident, Charles “Chuck” Albert Shafer passed away at home on September 5, following a brave battle with lymphoma. He was 77.
Born in Vandalia, Ohio to Garnett and William Shafer on January 5, 1946, he spent many happy summers on Lake Erie pursuing what would become his lifelong passions of boating and fishing. He studied at Wright State University before joining the Air Force where he served for 8 years and where he discovered he had an aptitude for computer programming. This led to a long, successful and ever-evolving career in information technology working in government and the private sector before becoming an independent consultant. He was the recipient of numerous accolades throughout his professional life. He liked to joke that he shuffled into retirement. One of his last positions was as Director of Information Technology at the Anne Arundel Medical Center where he was especially proud of helping to design and install the technology infrastructure for the new hospital when it moved from downtown Annapolis to its present location.
He and his wife spent many years exploring the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay and spending summers cruising on their boat to Ocean City, MD and later Indian River, DE. But some of his happiest and most serene moments were setting sail at sunrise from his community pier in the South River in his small Maycraft to Thomas Point Lighthouse in search of perch and rockfish. A lifelong hobbyist and tinkerer, he had many interests—everything from doing macrame and building kayaks to designing fishing rods. In his later years he became a talented wood turner and amateur genealogist, tracing and documenting his family roots back to the early settlers of the U.S. He also took time to volunteer at the South River Federation, doing water monitoring and growing oyster spat. He loved to travel and never missed an opportunity to do some offshore fishing if he was anywhere along a coastline. On a trip to South Africa, he was named “Durban Man of the Year” for his catch and release of the first black marlin of the season. Once retired, Miami Beach became his winter home where he was endlessly fascinated by the sights, sounds and vibrancy of South Beach.
He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Maria (Pisa); son, Douglas (Theresa); three grandchildren: Alexander, Simone and Anna; and sisters: Carolyn (Taylor) and Teresa (McCarroll). A sister, Jacqueline (Cole) predeceased him. Chuck relished life, adventure and a good bottle of wine. He was a role model for us all. We love him deeply and will miss him profoundly. Wishing you fair winds and following seas.
Funeral services are private. A celebration of life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Arundel Rivers Federation https://arundelrivers.org/ .
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