Liberty University mourns the loss of devoted library worker and faithful friend

Liberty University is mourning the loss of Hal Jerry “Buddy” Shearer Jr., 62, a staff member in the Jerry Falwell Library who passed away on Saturday, Dec. 5, and went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, while recovering from surgery.

Buddy was an 11-year employee at the library and was a critical contributor to the creation and operation of its Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), which uses robotic cranes to retrieve over 400,000 items. The system debuted when the library opened in January 2014.

“As we were making plans for the new building in 2010, Buddy emerged as someone who was willing to contribute quite a bit on those fronts and eventually he became the master of our robotic system,” said Greg Smith, Associate Dean of Library Technologies & Collection Services. Smith said Buddy’s background prior to joining Liberty’s library team was in banking systems and that his knowledge and technical capabilities served countless students and employees throughout his time at Liberty.

“People felt indebted to him both because of the work that he did on their behalf and due to the fact that he was very welcoming and accepting toward the people he met,” Smith said.

Jerry Falwell Library Dean Angela Rice said Buddy was one of the library’s most beloved employees.

“He was passionate about the mission and fully committed to spreading the Gospel, even through his work with the ASRS,” she said. “Buddy was certainly an inspiration to all of us of how God uses our previous (professional) experiences to equip us to do the job He has before us. Buddy used his technology and security expertise in banking to ensure that JFL systems were structured and prepared to operate a complex ASRS that ultimately enabled a phenomenal learning experience for the student.”

Though focused and dedicated to his work, Buddy would often emerge from his basement-level office to share some humor with anyone he passed.

“He loved to bring humor to the workplace,” Smith said, laughing as he recalled fond memories of his coworker and friend. “He was a very authentic person. You didn’t get facade with him.”

Outside of work, Buddy was passionate about loving his wife, Carol, and his children, Stacey and Peyton. He also loved missions work and refused to allow health problems in his later years of life to dictate his attitude and perspective toward living out his faith. He went on several overseas mission trips.

“Rather than growing bitter, he allowed God to shape him, to become more like Christ and more usable in his service,” Smith said.

A celebration of Buddy’s life will be held at a later date.