UT science professor funded biology chair

10/17/2005

Harold C. Shaffer, who taught anatomy, physiology, and microbiology at the University of Toledo for 35 years, died yesterday in the Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Toledo. He was 91.

Family members did not know the cause of death.

Mr. Shaffer, who retired from the university in 1985, was also a radiology instructor at Toledo Hospital and St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center for many years. He received the UT Outstanding Teacher Award in 1966 and established the Shaffer Chair in Biological Sciences at UT in 2004.

He often told students, "I'm not here to give you answers. I am here to teach you to think," said Charlotte Shaffer, his wife. "He lived to teach. He believed in young people and saw each day as a challenge to teach them."

Born in Toledo, Mr. Shaffer attended public schools and received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from UT in 1951. He then started as an instructor at the university where he would spend his entire career, gaining his appointment as a full professor in 1971.

A former special assistant to former UT president Asa Knowles, Mr. Shaffer was the coordinator of the National Science Foundation, which supported the summer institute for biology teachers at UT. He was also one of the founding members of the UT chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi fraternity, which started at UT in 1952.

After retiring, Mr. Shaffer was awarded professor emeritus status and he continued teaching, as well as volunteering his time to other organizations.

Mr. Shaffer was a member of the board of directors of the Toledo District Nurses Association for 15 years, and a consultant to many hospitals in the nation.

A volunteer at the blood center program of the American Red Cross, Mr. Shaffer was a longtime member of Olivet Lutheran Church in Sylvania. He also served on the board of Lutheran Campus Ministries.

Surviving is his wife of 53 years, the former Charlotte Yenor, whom he married Feb. 1, 1952.

Visitation will start at 5 p.m. today in the Foth-Dorfmeyer Funeral Home, 3815 Sylvania Ave. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Olivet Lutheran Church, 5840 Monroe St. The family suggests tributes to the Olivet Lutheran Church Foundation or the Harold C. and Charlotte L. Shaffer Chair in Biological Sciences in care of the Toledo Community Foundation.