Dr. Stephen Shaffer has spent more than 30 years either serving in the military or serving the people in the military, and luckily for locals, once he was assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in 1984, he never really left.

In 1989, as a captain, he left active duty and simultaneously entered into the Army Reserves and joined a group practice in Olympia. Primarily, he worked out of the 50th General Hospital at Fort Lawton in Seattle.

Next, Shaffer was recruited by the National Guard to be the state's optometrist for NG aviators, a duty he performed from 1992 until 2000, when he retired as a major (promotable) from all three components of his military career to focus fully on his own practice, which he'd opened in 1994.

Shaffer's decision to set up a permanent practice in DuPont was partially influenced by his wife, Debbee, who has been teaching in the Steilacoom Historical School District for 20 years. Despite spending their workdays in DuPont, the two, who have been married for 30 years, reside in Lacey and have a daughter, Jenna, 23, who is attending law school in California and a son, Jason, 18, who is a senior in high school.

"I know about the line officers and the sacrifices that military families have to make," said Shaffer, who spent a year and a half doing field medicine with the 9th Infantry, 5th Support Battalion. "I think it helps me relate to patients and what they are going through. I hope that they feel understood."

Most likely, his patients do since close to 70 percent of his clientele is made up of active duty military, dependents and retirees.

In 1985, Shaffer began teaching optometry through the military and has continued to do so ever since. He currently instructs medical residents at Madigan about clinical skills, math skills in theoretical optics and ophthalmology.

Being on staff at Madigan does have its benefits; the status means that Shaffer can put in referrals for patients that need to be seen at the Ophthalmology Clinic. This simple fact can help patients to avoid an extra appointment with a primary care physician, who may or may not be well versed in optometric care, before getting a coveted referral to a specialty clinic.

"I want the best for my patients and if I can make it happen for them with a few phone calls, why not?" Shaffer said.

"Overall, I think there has to be better communication between the military healthcare system and the civilian practitioners," he explained.

When he's not working on improving people's vision, Shaffer spends his time working with the DuPont Historical Society, the city's Lions Club and maintaining his personal pilot's license. He is also training for the Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego this June and has developed an interest in photography.

Five years from now Shaffer is definite that he will still be seeing patients and running his practice, though maybe in a reduced capacity. Then the time he used to spend in the office can be used to pursue other goals, like climbing Mount Rainier and traversing across the Grand Canyon, rim to rim. Not to mention, since he is adamant that retirement is still far off, he might consider yet another turn at serving his country.

"I still think I have another military piece left in me, I'm just not sure what it is yet," said Shaffer.

DuPont Family Vision Clinic, located at 1570 Wilmington Drive, is open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment only.  

Or call (253) 912-0900 for more information.