Edward David Sheafer Jr.

Sheafer - Edward David Jr. “Ted”, Rear Admiral U.S. Navy (Ret.), passed away peacefully on Monday, June 27, 2016 in Central City, PA, after a sudden illness. Born on November 27, 1940, in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of Edward and Frances (Spraggon) Sheafer. He is survived by his former wife and friend, Enid Suzanne Sheafer, two daughters, Elizabeth Hensley and Lesley Hargreaves, and three grandchildren, David, Caroline, and Alyssa. Rear Admiral Sheafer graduated from Pittsburgh’s Shady Side Academy in 1958 and entered the United States Naval Academy. During his years at the academy, he played for the football team and was a member of 11th Company, graduating in 1962. He first served as Combat Information Center Officer aboard USS Towers (DDG-9), then as Operations Officer aboard the USS John Thomason (DD-760). While aboard both destroyers, he completed four deployments to the Far East, including combat operations in Southeast Asia. Admiral Sheafer next attended the Defense Intelligence School. Graduating first in his class, he was assigned to the staff of Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, as a Soviet submarine analyst. In 1969, Admiral Sheafer assumed command of USS Persistent (MSO-491). During this tour, USS Persistent completed an 8-month deployment to Southeast Asia where the ship engaged in combat minesweeping, naval gunfire support, salvage operations and contraband surveillance. During his command, he was the youngest commanding Officer of any ocean-going warship in the U.S. Navy. Admiral Sheafer was accepted into the Intelligence Community in July 1971. As an intelligence specialist, his first tour included duties as Collection Operations Coordinator on the staff of Commander, Naval Intelligence Command; as a member of the Naval Intelligence Reaction Team responding to the North Vietnamese invasion across the DMZ; and as Executive Assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence. In 1973, he was selected as a Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Scholar. As a CNO Scholar, he attended Georgetown University and graduated with honors, with a Master of Science in Foreign Service. Subsequent tours included Staff, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet with principal duties as Officer-in-Charge of the Fleet Ocean Surveillance Information Facility, Kamiseya, Japan; Fleet Intelligence Officer for Commander, 7th Fleet; attendance at the National War College; Commanding Officer of the Naval Intelligence Processing System Support Activity in Washington, D.C.; Director of Intelligence, Staff, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command; Deputy Director for JCS Support and Deputy director, Defense Intelligence Agency. Admiral Sheafer became the 55th Director of Naval Intelligence in August 1991. His personal awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two gold stars in lieu of the Third Award, Bronze Star in Combat “V”, Meritorious Service Meal, Navy Achievement Medal, plus numerous service and campaign ribbons. Having served his country for more than 30 years, Admiral Edward D. Sheafer, Jr. retired from the Navy in 1995. He continued supporting intelligence activities as an adviser to senior levels in the defense and intelligence communities working on business endeavors for the implementation of advanced wireless communications capabilities and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) product development. Admiral Sheafer’s daughters would like to thank his friends and neighbors at Indian Lake and in Somerset County. A special thank you to Tina Rhode, Devra and Pete Snediker, Missy Andrews, Chuck Bowbrs, and all his caregivers for their support and friendship. At his request, there will be no public viewing. Inurnment will be held at a later date to be announced at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington VA, with Full Military Honors. The family is being served by the Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland. On line condolences may be posted to www.wharrisfuneralhome.com. Cremation by Laurel Highlands Crematory at Harris Funeral Home.