Charles Robert Shafer

Charles Robert Shafer died May 17, 2023, at Meritus Hospital in Hagerstown, Maryland. 

Bobby was born on January 28, 1933, in Sharpsburg, Maryland.  He graduated from Boonsboro High School, Class of 1950, and was employed by Potomac Edison in substation construction and maintenance.

On August 5, 1956, he married the love of his life, the girl he had somehow managed to impress by riding his motorcycle past her house multiple times a day, Gloria Renner Shafer. She predeceased him in December of 2021, after 65 loving years.  

He is survived by daughters Alison Elaine Shafer and Diana Lynne Shafer, son Timothy Robert Shafer and grandson Grant Tyler Shafer, as well as many dear friends and “motorcycle-riding buddies”.

He was a life-long member of the Christ Reformed United Church of Christ, Sharpsburg, where he served terms as a Deacon and as an Elder.  He served as a member of the West Virginia Air National Guard from 1958 to 1964 and was a member of the Funkstown American Legion.  Bobby was also a long-time member of the Williamsport Redmen Conococheaugue Tribe #84, where he enjoyed socializing with his many friends up until his passing.

Bobby was a devoted motorcyclist who traversed the US and ventured as far as Nova Scotia on one of his many bikes.  He was a self-taught master mechanic who could diagnose your engine’s ills by simply listening to it.  He loved and had an encyclopedic knowledge of trains and World War II aircraft.

Bobby’s family would like to thank his friends and church family who did so much to support him after his loss of Gloria and during his recently declining health.  He was always extremely grateful for their assistance. An especial angel was Deidre Morreale.

The Osborne Funeral Home, P.A. at 425 S Conococheague St, Williamsport, MD will be open for family visitation from 6 to 8 pm on Tuesday, May 23.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 24, at 11 am at Christ Reformed United Church of Christ, 117 West Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, with Rick Bishop officiating.  Interment will be in Mt. View Cemetery, Sharpsburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Christ Reformed UCC, P.O. Box 503 Sharpsburg, MD 21782.  Online condolences may be made to the family at: www.osbornefuneralhome.net

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