Live music fueled Tim Schaffert's soul. Whether he was traveling to amphitheaters across the country to see shows, playing drums in local bars or clubs, or cutting a rug with his wife Shelly, he was happiest when he was immersed in classic rock.

"Whenever there was music, he'd say 'C'mon, let's get up and dance," Shelly said. "He had the best drumming feet. He had very unique dancing moves, maybe not the best dancing feet. He loved to dance."

In the last few months, as Tim struggled with Lewy Body Dementia, he and Shelly spent long afternoons playing albums from Tim's expansive vinyl collection, or watching concert videos of favorites including The Rolling Stones, Jackson Browne, Todd Rundgren. The music, she said, seemed to bring some solace.

Timothy Ray Schaffert, 69, died November 21, 2025 at his home in St Petersburg, FL, surrounded by family. Tim grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska. "Go Big Red!" He earned an MBA degree from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL and for 25 years he worked for the federal government as a bank examiner.

His children, Hannah Gracia and Aidan Schaffert, described him as kind, thoughtful and selfless. The kind of dad who took you camping and tubing, let you have dogs, took care of you - but let you stick your head out of the sunroof while he drove fast. "He didn't want to organize anything. Or be in charge," Hannah said. "But he was always agreeable, encouraging and up for anything."

After retiring at age 57, Tim spent his days playing disc golf and tennis, bike riding, and playing drums. He practiced drumming daily, studied YouTube videos to learn how to improve. He had this "gentle competitiveness," said his son in law, Erin Gracia. "He was very impressive, athletically, and enjoyed showing he could keep up at sports. But he was humble. Never bragged."

In 2017, Tim met Mary "Shelly" Ash, who called him "My prince." They married on the beach 4 years later and blended their four grown children into a new phase of family. "He was just this gentle man. I never heard him raise his voice or say a bad word about anyone," said Shelly's daughter, Margot Ash. "And he had this funny, dry sense of humor that sometimes came out and would make everyone laugh."

Tim loved the outdoors. Shelly loved to travel. They criss-crossed the country, going to concerts, visiting their kids, taking long hikes and bike rides, touring breweries and distilleries, drinking IPAs, sipping Maker's Mark. In the nearly nine years they were together, they visited 27 states - plus British Columbia and Quebec. And went on two Blues cruises. "The next plan was Europe," Shelly said. "We always wanted to go to Europe together."

He is survived by his brother, Fred Schaffert in Lincoln, Nebraska and sister, Glenda Rathjen in Grand Island, Nebraska; his children, Hannah Gracia of St Petersburg, Florida and Aidan Schaffert of Oakland, California; step children Margot Ash (Taylor) of Brooklyn, New York, Jacob Ash of Denver, Colorado, son in law Erin Gracia of St Petersburg, Florida and Tim's wife, Shelly, who he adored. A celebration of life will be scheduled next year.