Senator Roger John Shaff View All Years

ROGER JOHN SHAFF

Roger John Shaff was born on November 19, 1910, in rural Clinton County, Iowa, to J. O. and Gladys Melick Shaff. He passed away on June 4, 2004, at the age of ninety-three. He is survived by his wife Marian of Clinton, Iowa; son John and wife Evelyn of Camanche, Iowa; daughter Ann Frein and husband Jim of Vail, Colorado; brothers J. M. of Bettendorf, Iowa, Jim of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and David of Clinton, Iowa; a sister Jeanne Kieley of Fullerton, California; six grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.

Shaff lived his entire life on the family farm that dates back to his great-grandfather Heman B. Shaff, who settled there in 1837. He attended rural grade school and graduated from Clinton High School in 1928. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1932 with a degree in economics.

Upon his graduation from college, he returned to the family farm. In 1939, he married Marian Thede. He was actively farming until his death in 2004. He was one of the original directors and stockholders of Camanche State Bank, now a branch of Clinton National Bank.

Shaff was active in his community. He was a member of many organizations, including the Cattle Feeders, Corn Growers, Farm Bureau, Toastmasters, and Rotary. He served as an elder in the First Presbyterian Church.

Shaff served in the Iowa Senate, where he worked diligently on tax issues. He was recognized as one of the most knowledgeable on state taxes, especially property taxes. His greatest accomplishment was bringing equity to schools through the Iowa Education Foundation Funding Act. This law served as a model for other states. He served as President Pro Tempore of the Senate when Iowa was recognized as having the most improved legislature.

Roger John Shaff was a Clinton County Republican. He served three terms in the Senate from 1967 to 1978 during the 62nd, 63rd, 64th, 65th, 66th, 67th, and 67th Extraordinary General Assemblies.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE EIGHTY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF IOWA: That in the passing of the Honorable Roger John Shaff, the State has lost an honored citizen and faithful and useful public servant, and that the Senate by this resolution expresses its appreciation of his service to the State and tenders its sympathy and kindest regards to the members of his family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

ROGER STEWART

FRANK B. WOOD

MAGGIE TINSMAN

Committee