Director of Brethren Archives, Ken Shaffer, Passes Away
We were informed today of the death of Ken Shaffer, director of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives (BHLA). Ken passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 23, at his home in Elgin. In May he had announced his retirement date as Dec. 31. Judy Keyser, our treasurer, has been one of the caregivers for Ken along with his sister Jean over the last few weeks.
Ken began work for the Church of the Brethren in Aug. 1970 as consultant for curriculum development for the former General Board. From 1972-88 he worked at Bethany Theological Seminary in Oak Brook, Ill., where his positions included bookstore manager, acquisitions librarian, administrative assistant to the Doctor of Ministry program, and library director. He served as book review editor for the journal “Brethren Life and Thought” from 1986-99. From 1987-89 he was editor of “A Guide for Biblical Studies,” the Brethren Press Bible study curriculum for adults.
He began as BHLA director in Jan. 1989, holding responsibility for the extensive archival collection housed in the basement of the Church of the Brethren General Offices. With documents dating back to a 1539 German New Testament, the archive preserves Brethren publications, records, and items of historical importance. Most recently he had been contributing to a new project to digitize Brethren periodicals, in a cooperative endeavor with several other Brethren bodies, and along with co-author Graydon Snyder was writing articles for the journal “Brethren Life and Thought” to bring their books on “Texts in Transit” up to date.
Originally from the eastern shore of Maryland, Ken was born Dec. 10, 1945, in Greensboro, Md. He was an ordained minister and early in his career filled two summer pastorates. Most recently he has been active in Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren. He is survived by his sister Jean Shaffer, aunts Kathleen Cole and Betsy Bareford, and numerous cousins. His funeral was held on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. at Denton (Md.) Church of the Brethren. A memorial service will be held at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren at a date yet to be determined.
Karin L. Krog, Director of Human Resources
Ken began work for the Church of the Brethren in Aug. 1970 as consultant for curriculum development for the former General Board. From 1972-88 he worked at Bethany Theological Seminary in Oak Brook, Ill., where his positions included bookstore manager, acquisitions librarian, administrative assistant to the Doctor of Ministry program, and library director. He served as book review editor for the journal “Brethren Life and Thought” from 1986-99. From 1987-89 he was editor of “A Guide for Biblical Studies,” the Brethren Press Bible study curriculum for adults.
He began as BHLA director in Jan. 1989, holding responsibility for the extensive archival collection housed in the basement of the Church of the Brethren General Offices. With documents dating back to a 1539 German New Testament, the archive preserves Brethren publications, records, and items of historical importance. Most recently he had been contributing to a new project to digitize Brethren periodicals, in a cooperative endeavor with several other Brethren bodies, and along with co-author Graydon Snyder was writing articles for the journal “Brethren Life and Thought” to bring their books on “Texts in Transit” up to date.
Originally from the eastern shore of Maryland, Ken was born Dec. 10, 1945, in Greensboro, Md. He was an ordained minister and early in his career filled two summer pastorates. Most recently he has been active in Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren. He is survived by his sister Jean Shaffer, aunts Kathleen Cole and Betsy Bareford, and numerous cousins. His funeral was held on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. at Denton (Md.) Church of the Brethren. A memorial service will be held at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren at a date yet to be determined.
Karin L. Krog, Director of Human Resources
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