Many gather to honor former governor Shafer

The former Republican governor was born in New Castle.
MEADVILLE, Pa. (AP) -- Former Gov. Raymond P. Shafer was remembered Sunday as a visionary leader and a compassionate man who dedicated his life to both his family and his state.
Shafer, 89, a Republican who served from 1967-71, died Wednesday of complications from congestive heart failure at Meadville Medical Center. His family said he had been left partially paralyzed by a stroke in 2003 and had been diagnosed with diabetes.
About 250 people, including three former governors -- William Scranton, Richard Thornburgh and Tom Ridge -- and Lieutenant Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll, gathered at Ford Chapel at Shafer's alma mater, Allegheny College, where he served as a trustee for more than 20 years and as president from 1985 to 1986.
"The commonwealth produces so few men and women of that caliber," U.S. Sen.-elect Bob Casey said after the funeral. "It's a remarkable life, a life of service and courage."
Shafer was the last governor limited to a single term. He led an overhaul of the state constitution that had grown outdated, winning several constitutional changes from the Republican-controlled Legislature and voters.
Known for public service
But he was remembered Sunday as much as a family man as for his public service.
"My father was a beautiful man," Raymond Philip Shafer Jr. said during the service, his voice cracking.
"He was always so loving and generous to his family," the late governor's nephew, Paul D. Shafer said. "He loved not only being a grandfather, but also a great-grandfather. ... Raymond's wise guidance through the years helped inspire all of us."
Allegheny College President Richard Cook referred to Shafer as a mentor and friend who "opened doors and raised expectations of everyone he met. Allegheny College has lost its greatest son."
The Rev. Terry A. Clark, pastor of First Christian Church in Meadville said, "He moved in circles of great power ... but he was a gentleman and a gentle man. He was God's servant to our nation. We are blessed that he was able to step up to that larger stage and do so much good for so many people."
Shafer's father, a minister, was appointed pastor of First Christian Church in 1933.
Background
After serving in the Navy during World War II, during which he received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, Shafer went into law practice. He was elected Crawford County District Attorney, a job he held from 1948-56. He won a 1958 state senate race and became lieutenant governor under Scranton in 1963.
Shafer beat Milton J. Shapp in the 1966 gubernatorial election. In 1971, President Nixon named Shafer to chair the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse, which recommended state and federal governments decriminalize the personal use of marijuana, but continue to declare it an illegal substance. Nixon rejected the recommendation.
Shafer's popularity sank in 1969 when he proposed a state income tax, saying the tax was necessary to finance a 25-percent increase in the state budget to pay for education and welfare. The tax was enacted soon after by the new governor, Shapp.
Gov. Ed Rendell did not attend Sunday's funeral, but paid his respects to Shafer's family Saturday, an Allegheny College spokesman said.
Ridge called Shafer a visionary leader, pointing to Shafer's involvement with the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, which he chaired in the 1980s.
"I remember him telling me over and over again how important it was to develop economic relations with China," Ridge said.
Shafer believed the U.S. had to recognize China's economic strength and maintaining relations could lead to the Communist nation opening its markets, Ridge said.
"Nobody was thinking about that vision in 1982," Ridge said. "Everywhere he went, he achieved. He set a standard of excellence. He had a gift."
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