Clarence "Clair" Shaffer ’22

Clarence "Clair" Shaffer died May 29, 1999, at his home in Winter Park, Fla., after a lengthy period of declining health. He was 104.

After he graduated from Princeton, Clair earned a master's at Columbia and also studied at Stanford and other universities. He taught in the elementary schools of Armstrong, Colo., and, after obtaining his teacher's degree, served as superintendent of schools in Confluence, Pa., and Shanksville-Stoneycreek Twp. [Pa.] and as assistant county superintendent of schools in Somerset County, Pa.

A veteran of WWI, he was recently named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the president of France. However, he died before receiving the insignia of that honor. During WWII he was secretary of the Ration Board and supervisor of the Aircraft Warning Service.

Clarence was an active layman in various churches and also taught Bible classes. He was a member of the Masons, IOOF, and the Lions Club. During his life, he traveled extensively. His wife of 75 years, Edith, died in 1995. The couple had three children: Elizabeth Ann, Mary Lou Reichard, and Richard '50. Clair is also survived by three grandchildren, a great-grandson, a great-great-granddaughter, whom he saw shortly before he died, and his 102-year-old sister, Vernye Barrett.

The Class of 1922