College Mourns Bill Shafer

Capital Projects Manager William F. "Bill" Shafer was remembered Wednesday for his playful sense of humor, his love of the aesthetic, his creative hobbies, and the loyalty with which he was a father and husband.

Shafer, 46, died Friday at home in Saratoga Springs after a two-year battle with cancer.

In a service at Memorial Chapel, friends and relatives recalled his passion for jokes and storytelling. His sister, Libby, spoke of how he kept his nurses laughing. Several friends told stories about his pranks, many of which involved fireworks that he lit with his trademark cigars. Diane Blake, vice president for finance, spoke of his adaptability, how at ease he was in settings ranging from construction sites to board meetings. Many recalled his love of gatherings with family and friends and his "hoovering," lying out on the dining room floor after a generous meal.

Shafer joined the College in 1995 as capital projects manager, overseeing the construction of the F.W. Olin Center and the renovation of Schaffer Library.

He was a graduate of Stanford University and the graduate school of design at Harvard University.

Survivors include his wife, Susan; and two daughters, Whitney and Lucy.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, 12866.