Prof. Nuffer was raised in Birmingham, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. He received a B.A. from Valparasio University in 1968, and then taught English in the inner city of Chicago for four and a half years. Prof. Nuffer then moved to Texas and graduated from Baylor University's School of Law in 1975. From 1975 until 1989 Prof. Nuffer practiced law in Texas, specializing in civil litigation. In 1989 he entered Concordia Theological Seminary, leaving as a deferred vicar in 1992. From 1992 to 1997 he served as vicar and then pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Rockport, Texas. While in Texas Prof. Nuffer served on the Texas District's Board for Church Extension. Prof. Nuffer has taught homiletics and other pastoral ministry courses since arriving at the seminary in December 1997, and also serves as Director of Vicarage and as Coordinator of Alternate Routes to Ordination. During 2000-2001 he was acting Dean of Pastoral Education and Placement.

Prof. Nuffer is married to Patricia Squibb Nuffer, an M.S.,C.C.C. speech pathologist (currently not practicing). The Nuffers have four children.

Prof. Nuffer is a member of Historic Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, where he serves on the Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Lutheran Disibility Outreach in Fort Wayne.