And so Adam returns.
Uli--good catch. Wrong pin. The pin directly across from the ignition ground (cf 74-00-00, p 29, 15) is a spark plug ground. So of course this pin (15 in the same illustration) was always grounded! Whoops. The correct pin connected to the grounding switch (7) grounded properly at the correct switch positions. Switch grounds were solid. Having sorted out this mistake it was nice having 15 as a reference point when I was checking the ignition switch.
I reassembled the connectors and fired up the engine for a ten minute run to warm the oil. The engine shut down normally. Of course. And it continues to function normally. So I suspect the cause was a poor electrical connection, perhaps one of the grounding pins was dirty or dislodged.
The time, effort, and thought maxim certainly applies.