Our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother and Friend left this mortal world September 19, 2021, after suffering a lifetime from the effects caused by Agent Orange that he received during the Vietnam War. He was surrounded by his loving family in St. George, Utah.
Steve was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Martin and Naconna Shaffer. He was one of eleven siblings.
At the age of eighteen, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Steve was a decorated war veteran who honorably served his country as an infantryman in Vietnam with the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Rangers, 1st Infantry Division. He was presented with the fourth highest medal for our Nation’s fighting men. He received the Bronze Star with the V-device for Valor. He also received three Purple Hearts.
Steve graduated from the North American School of Conservation as well as from the Division of Wildlife Resources, Hunters Education Instructors program, in 1981. He received a Degree of Master of Arts from Rockvillle University, his Associates Degree in Applied Science in the pipe trades, and his Bachelor Degree in Science, with a discipline in Archaeology from Kennedy International University.
Steve spent his professional career working as a Journeyman Pipefitter for the Local Union 19, from which he retired after 45 years. He was highly respected in his profession and served as the Vice President of Local 19.
He was a hunter education teacher for 25 years. He always wanted the youth to appreciate the outdoors and to get out there, either hunting or exploring safely. He made sure that his children never stayed inside the home, that each day was a new adventure.
He loved teaching, giving lectures at the Universities, and sharing with the world his knowledge and love of treasures, symbols, and history.
Steve had a drive to keep learning each and every day. He read scriptures, news from around the world and history, from sunup to sundown and then would share that information with everyone that came to visit.
Steve was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities within the church. He loved the gospel and shared that love with his family.
Steve loved hunting, fishing, and golfing but his true love was getting lost in the hills, and searching for evidence of the ancient cultures, which also included searching for the golden Motherlode.
Steve has authored several books and was the founder and President of the We Nooch Society, which is a historical preservation society. He is featured in 13 documentaries, including National Geographic and America Unearthed.
Steve was married twice before finding his sweetheart and eternal companion of 35 years, Bonnie. His childrenare: Shellie (Allen) McKissick of Salt Lake City, UT; Laine (Valine) Norton of Bluebell, UT; Vance (Sonja) Norton of Vernal, UT; Stephan Shaffer II of West Valley City, UT; Jason (Jenny) Norton of Herriman, UT; Travis (Cheryl) Shaffer of West Valley City, UT; Sadie (Tom) Trapp of Rock Springs, WY; Cody (Tiffany) Shaffer of West Jordan, UT; Ann Shaffer of Salt Lake City, UT; and Dawnesia Davis of Vernal, UT. He leaves 29 grandchildren and 26.5 great-grandchildren, whom he adored and loved.
There will be two visitations as well as the funeral service and all will be at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah 84660. A visitation will be held in his honor on Friday evening, October 1, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Another visitation will be held Saturday morning, October 2, 2021, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. followed by funeral services, from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Interment will be in the Vernal City Cemetery, 1700 South 500 East, Vernal, Utah, at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2021.
Because of CoVid, the services will be live-streamed and recorded through Walker Funeral Home, Spanish Fork, Utah, for those who are too distant to travel. Funeral services will be broadcast live. Please click the following link to watch the Funeral: https://youtu.be/fWDyzz2q8rs
3 Condolences for Stephan “Doc” Barlow Shaffer
Condolences(3)
Ann Shaffer says
September 22, 2021 at 8:00 pmI love you so much Dad. It’s hard to believe that you are really gone.
Connie Hansen says
September 22, 2021 at 9:01 pmBonnie, I just read about Steve and I am heart broken for you. I was not expecting this. I want you to know once more of my love for both of you. I respected both of you. We were close, and I loved both of you. Due to ill health at this time, I may have to attend the funeral on linbe. Let me know of anything I could help you with. My thoughts are with you. Connie Hansen
Jeremy says
September 22, 2021 at 9:09 pmI’m sorry to hear of the loss of a great man.
My condolences to the family