In memoriam of Dr. David Shaffer (La Grande Boissière, 1954)

We have been informed by Klara, Tomas and Samuel Zak (LGB, 2008, 2011, 2013) that their uncle, Dr David Shaffer (LGB, 1954), a prominent Professor of child psychiatry, passed away on 15 October 2023. Dr David Shaffer dedicated decades to the study of children and adolescents who tragically lost their lives to suicide.

"David was an Ecolint alumnus who had very fond memories of his time at the school. David was a boarder at LGB during the late 1940s and early 1950s. His father did not want him to be educated in the racist society of South Africa and sent him to Switzerland for a more international education which clearly had something of its desired effect as David became deeply committed to ending apartheid. David used to recall how he would fly from South Africa on a flying boat, landing on Lake Victoria in Uganda and then flying on to Geneva with several other stops en route. The trip took at least three days. Ecolint always held a special place in his heart and he would often ask about the state of the Greek Theatre, which he would never fail to remind you, he had helped build.

He was a wonderful man who was deeply loved and respected by his friends and family. He leaves behind four children and seven grandchildren."

Please find a link to an obituary of David in the New York Times here.