Chapin Edwin Shaffer

Chapin Edwin Shaffer

February 11, 1985 – May 13, 2024

Chapin Edwin Shaffer was born on February 11, 1985, in Omaha, Nebraska, on his great-grandfather, Raymond J. Zaraya’s 40th birthday. He was so proud to share his birthday with him. Chapin died unexpectedly and left this earth too soon on May 13, 2024.

Chapin is the proud father of Jack Andrew Shaffer, of Omaha, Nebraska. Chapin and his former wife, Rachel Sempek, were the best examples of two parents that always put their child first to give him the very best life possible.  They “ALWAYS” thought of Jack first, no matter what.

He leaves behind a loving mother, Deborah Baciak, and her husband, Chapin’s incredible bonus dad, Edward Baciak, of Las Vegas, Nevada; sisters, Corinna Baciak and Alexandrea Baciak, and her daughter, his new little niece, are also going to miss him greatly; two amazing grandparents, Raymond and Nancy Zaraya, who he adored and were by his mother’s side his entire life, acting as co-parents to him; Eve Piskac, his very loving fiancée; his best friend/cousin, Dylan Zaraya and fiancée, Joanne Bruce; cousin, Alexis Zaraya, fiancée, Nick Munix, and their son, Greyson.  He recently connected with his father, Tony Aquilera, and his wife, Julie Mott, of Omaha, Nebraska, and his half-sister, Olivia Aquilera; his incredible great uncles, many cousins, family, and friends from all across the country; and the mother of his son, his friend, and former wife, Rachel Sempek.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Jack and Jane Zaraya; Abbie and Edwin Martin; his hero and uncle, Andrew Zaraya;  half-sister, Emma Sue Olsen; and wife, Melissa (Lissa) Shaffer.

Chapin was an extremely loyal friend, good Samaritan, and a very devoted father. His acts of kindness touched many lives throughout the Omaha community during his short life. His impact on others will be felt for many years to come, and his legacy will go on in those he loved and treasured.

He was an excellent baker and made treats for his family and friends regularly; teasing his grandma, Nancy, that he made her mum’s brownies better than her. The most important things to Chapin were being a good father, a loving family member and his dogs, Ragnar, Magni and Sakura. He was proud of his accomplishments that didn’t always come easy for him, such as graduating from MMI, to work on both Vintage Harley Davidson’s and later on Victory Motorcycles. He then purchased his first motorcycle, a Victory Vegas Vintage 8-ball, which he proudly owned before selling it after the birth of his beloved, Jack.  Chapin went onto Metro Tech Community College to become a journeyman, and later was asked to be a teacher of his trade at Metro. He was labeled by his students as a “GREAT” teacher!  He loved all types of music.  He was an artist, expressing himself with his tattoos. They all had a very significant meaning to him and were actually a story of his life and of family he wished to honor.  To say he was a jokester is an understatement. He teased his son, Jack, and cousin, Dylan, relentlessly; and his baby sister, Corinna, by constantly calling her “Meg.” Per Corinna/Meg, she doesn’t want any of us to forget his infectious, joyful, and giant laugh. As Corinna says, “it never got old”!

Chapin had plans to marry Eve, to be the best man in his cousin, Dylan’s, wedding next November, and to meet his new niece, born to his sister, Allie. He had big plans and big dreams for his future. Death by suicide is not what we thought would be in our future with Chapin. When life gets hard, you have to fight harder. Chapin’s mom always reminds her kids of something that no one ever told her, “Life can be painful, it can really hurt at times, but YOU will make it through. You have to go through the pain. One day, it will be behind you and you will be proud that you made it through.”

The truth is Chapin was very diverse and he truly wrote the story of his own life.  This chapter may close for him, but he will live on in the memories he created with his kindness and love for us all.

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SERVICE: Wednesday, May 22nd at 10am at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 11615 “I” St.  There will be a light breakfast/brunch following the Service. Interment, Evergreen Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers or memorials, we kindly request that any gifts be directed towards Jack’s educational purposes. Please make checks payable to Jack A. Shaffer.