Bob Shuman
Bob Shuman
Bob Shuman
July 24, 1933 – February 9, 2017
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 83
Bob Shuman, 83, of Oskaloosa passed away early Thursday morning, February 09, 2017, at Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa. Robert C. Shuman, son of Martin Vincent and Nell Virginia (Hanna) Shuman, was born July 24, 1933, at the maternal home of his grandparents in Hobart, Oklahoma.
Bob’s parents farmed near Koonkazachey, OK and he rode a pony to his country school 2 ½ miles from his home. He attended junior high and high school in Hobart. After graduation in 1951, he furthered his education at Oklahoma A & M. While in college, Bob enlisted in the Army and served on a teaching committee at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas from 1954-1956. Bob returned to Oklahoma State/Oklahoma A & M and graduated in 1958 with a degree in Agronomy. From there he was accepted into the master’s program at New Mexico State/New Mexico A & M, where he earned his degrees in Soil Classification and Genesis and Chemistry. He was persuaded by a research geologist to serve as a research assistant at Iowa State University in 1960. It was there that he met and married the Love-of-His-Life, DeLores Loraine Rank. They were married November 11, 1963.
In 1965, they left Ames and moved to Oskaloosa, where Bob accepted a job with Wm. Penn College, teaching Earth Science. Bob remained at Wm. Penn and also added Central College to his teaching responsibilities in 1973. After teaching at the college level for over 18 years, he was hired by Northern Mahaska to teach science in 1982. One year of high school teaching was enough for him; he then went to Walker Motors and sold cars for two years. Iowa Trust and Savings Bank hired him in 1985; there he served as an assistant vice-president, and loan officer, handling the bank’s real estate transactions. Bob retired in 1995.
Bob enjoyed interacting with people and soon found a part-time job at Adam’s Camera Shop working for Larry Mickey. This opportunity allowed him to teach camera technology and visit with the customers.
Bob was a past member and president of the Oskaloosa Kiwanis Club and a member of Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta (honorary agriculture fraternities) , Phi Sigma Society (honorary biology fraternities) and Phi Kappa Tau (social fraternity). A long-time member of College Avenue Friends Church, he served whole-heartedly in many areas. He also served on the boards of the Christian Opportunity Center and the Mahaska County Crisis Intervention Services.
Bob’s extensive education and numerous career ventures demonstrated his inquisitive and flexible spirit; he loved learning and sharing his knowledge with others and was always up for a new challenge. His gentle, humble soul and faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ, made him to be the loving, wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend that will be missed by many.
His family includes his wife of 53 years, DeLores of Oskaloosa; his daughters and sons-in-law: Rene’ (& Greg) Robbins of Austin, TX and Heather (& Mike) Fogle of Oskaloosa; his grandchildren: Bobbi and Geoffrey Fogle; and a sister, Darla Cain of Yukon, OK.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Dale Cain.
Funeral services for Bob will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2017, at the College Avenue Friends Church with Pastor James Tower officiating.
The family wants those attending the service to wear their favorite sports team’s apparel.
Cremation will follow the service.
Burial of his ashes will be held at a later date.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Sunday at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 2-4 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the funeral chapel.
Memorials may be made to College Avenue Friends Church.
Memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the online guestbook at gvlfuneralchapel.com.
