Bernard Shafer

Bernard “Bernie” Shafer age 78, passed away after a brief illness with his wife, Connie, by his side, on Monday, August 24, 2026, at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado. He was born on December 25, 1947 in San Francisco, California to Glenn “Tine” Shafer and Rose Shafer. He was raised in Dillon, Montana and graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 1965, and was Valedictorian and President of his Senior Class. In 1969, he graduated from Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Geography, then went on to get his Master of Science in Meteorology/Hydrology in 1971. While there he met and married Connie, the love of his life on December 30, 1970. They celebrated 56 years of marriage this past December. He was a devoted husband and loving father to their two children, Codi (Todd) Kaji, and Josh (Julie) Shafer, and his four treasured grandsons, Benjamin and William Kaji and Oliver and Arlo Shafer.

Bernie was the second eldest of four children and leaves behind three sisters, Ginger Fruhwirth, Susie Shepherd (his twin), and Janet Shafer, all of Greeley, Colorado. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly, along with other extended family members and cherished friends whose lives were forever enriched by knowing him. He will be remembered for his self-discipline, integrity, generous spirit and willingness to help anyone in need.

He began his career with USDA SCS in snow surveys in Montana, working in the mountains he loved. He helped install snow measuring sites in Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming, responsible for water supply forecasting for the Western United States. He was a regional, then national hydrologist before launching the information technology center in Fort Collins, bringing some of the brightest people with him. He was held in great esteem by his colleagues. He authored/coauthored 30 scientific and professional papers and was on scientist exchange programs to Argentina and Taiwan. His first retirement in 1999 was from USDA NRCS, then worked in the private sector until his second retirement in 2003, and finally retiring for good from private consulting in 2006. Time spent with family and friends was his best job by far. His mantra was “prior preparation prevents poor performance”, a quote from former US Secretary of State James Baker.

Bernie was known for his love of the great outdoors --- hiking, hunting and above all ----fly fishing in Montana and the streams and lakes of Colorado. He was never more at peace than when he was drifting down a river or standing in the middle of a stream with his waders on and a fly rod in his hand. He always enjoyed reminiscing about growing up in Dillon and spending summer days in Argenta, fishing and hiking the hills and valleys with siblings and many cousins living there.

While our hearts are heavy and we miss him more than words can express, we are grateful for the time we were blessed to have him and the impact he had on our lives. Our greatest comfort is knowing he is no longer suffering and at peace in the presence of his loving Savior.