Charles Shaffer

Charles “Charlie” Shaffer, born on November 18, 1942 in Richmond, California, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026 at the age of 83 after a long and courageous battle with vascular dementia. He lived a full and vibrant life defined by creativity, hard work, and family with a love of the outdoors, and a well-known sense of humor.

Charlie spent his childhood in Bakersfield, where he was an avid Boy Scout in his grade school years. As a student at East Bakersfield High School, he played drums in the school’s Blade Band, was a member of the sophomore class council, and played football for the East Bakersfield Daggers.

While in high school, Charlie met the love of his life, Dianne Baldwin. They married in 1961 and built a remarkable life together, sharing 65 years of partnership, love, and family. They eventually settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, living first in Oakland and later moving to Fremont in 1969, where they were honored as the city’s 100,000th residents. They were awarded the key to the city and celebrated as special guests in a citywide parade—an honor Charlie liked to joke about, saying Fremont gave them the key and then changed the locks the next day.

He first discovered his natural gift for sales while working at his parents’ stamp and coin shop at a young age. His parents, Fred and Altah Shaffer, helped shape his lifelong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. Charlie built a long and successful career in sales, beginning in the arts and crafts industry and later transitioning into the Halloween and costume business in the early 2000s. Over the years, he represented more than 40 product lines as a manufacturers’ sales representative, traveling across the country, forming lasting relationships, and bringing enthusiasm and authenticity to his work.

An active and adventurous man, Charlie had a broad range of physical interests. He completed numerous half and full marathons (31 in total), participated in enduro motorcycle races and cycling events. In his later years, he developed a deep passion for cycling, embracing the freedom and joy it brought him. He could regularly be found riding the full distance of The Alameda Creek Regional Trail from Niles Canyon to the Bay and beyond. He loved fishing, abalone diving, camping, backpacking, and exploring the outdoors—always happiest when surrounded by nature. In the early 1980s, he volunteered as a wrestling coach at American High School, supporting his son Charles and sharing his belief in discipline, perseverance, and teamwork with young athletes. He lived by the idea of “no pain, no gain,” always pushing himself and encouraging others to keep moving forward.

Charlie was a creative spirit with a love for pottery. He earned an art scholarship to Oakland’s California College of Arts and Crafts out of high school and later had work included in the collection at Mills College Art Museum. He was a Raku instructor and a longtime fixture at the Weekes Community Center in Hayward. He generously shared his work, gifting pottery to friends and colleagues over the years. He enjoyed music—especially country—concerts, dancing, spicy food, and cookies, and he had a gift for storytelling that brought people together.

Known for his playful spirit, Charlie was a practical joker who often built bonds through teasing—something that usually worked, even if his humor wasn’t for everyone. He was known for his signature phrases like “use it or lose it”, “money makes the monkey dance” and “if it’s not fun, it’s not getting done”, encouraging those around him to stay active, work hard, and embrace life fully. He also had the infuriating habit of sneaking away to pay the dinner bill before anyone else could; a quiet gesture of generosity that became one of his most memorable albeit annoying trademarks. Whether on a long bike ride, out on a trail, or gathered around a table, his presence left a lasting impression.

Charlie was devoted to his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Dianne; his children, Pamela, Charles, and Christy, and their spouses; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren, with three more on the way. He found immense pride and joy in being a grandfather and great-grandfather, cherishing time spent with his growing family when he wasn’t working or out on a bike ride.

Charlie will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, his generosity, his humor, and his desire to connect with those around him. His legacy lives on in the stories he shared, the lessons he taught, and the family he cherished so deeply.

If you would like to celebrate Charlie or make a gift in his honor, please visit his tribute
page: https://events.alz.org/fundraisers/christycalderon/charlie-shaffer