On August 14, 2020, The Right Reverend Robert Reed Shahan (Bob) was granted eternal rest after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Bob was born in Elkhart, KS, on October 18, 1939, to John and Freda (Reed) Shahan. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Carol Shahan, his two daughters, Sarah Elizabeth Lauck (David) and Susannah Annette Hart (Brian), grandchildren, Addison Lauck Davis (Aaron), Halley Urich, Cooper Lauck, Lauren Hart Stavens (Parker), Lindsey Hart, and brother John P. Shahan (Michelle), along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Donna (Shahan) Drehmer.
Bob met Mary Carol when they were both 14 years old at a debate tournament in Lawrence, KS. They began their courtship immediately, which continued through college at the University of Kansas. Bob and Mary Carol were engaged one evening in New York City in 1962, and the rest was history. Bob’s love for Mary Carol was deep, and he referred to her as “his bride” over their 57 years of marriage.
Bob was a well-educated man, receiving his undergraduate degree in business at the University of Kansas in 1961, where he was an active member of Sigma Chi fraternity as well as the Naval ROTC program. Upon graduation, he served our country as an officer in the US Navy. While in the Navy, he received his MBA from Michigan State. He honorably left the Navy in 1969 and began working as a Marketing Executive for Hershey Chocolate in Grand Rapids, MI, before he answered a lifelong calling to serve the Lord. He left the secular world in 1970, embarking on a three-year journey to the Episcopal priesthood earning his Masters in Divinity at Nashotah House Episcopal Theological Seminary in Nashotah, WI. Upon seminary graduation in 1973, Bob became Vicar at St. Albans Episcopal Church in Muskegon, MI. He served as a professor and Assistant Dean of Student Services at Seabury Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL, from 1975 to 1981, while also serving as priest-in-charge at St. Francis Episcopal Church on the north side of Chicago. During this time, he earned his PhD from Northwestern University. He was continuously called to serve in bigger ways, becoming Rector at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church in Aiken, SC, in 1981. In 1984 he returned home to Kansas, where he served as Dean of Grace Episcopal Cathedral, Topeka, KS. His last role serving the church began in 1992 when he was elected as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, in Phoenix, AZ. He retired in 2004 and returned home to his family in Kansas for his remaining years. In all his roles, he touched and influenced countless lives, teaching the word of the Lord, as well as counseling many people through the blessings and challenges life presents.
Many words and phrases can describe Bob. He was an avid golfer, fierce protector of those he loved, a loyal friend, had a fabulous sense of humor, and was the life of the party. But most importantly, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and man.
The family thanks friends near and far, and all who have supported them through this most difficult time, with particular thanks to Dr. Jeff Burns and Anne Arthur, APRN, at the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, the associates at Ascend Hospice and Silvercrest Memory Care, and the priests at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church, Gar and Kelly Demo. The celebration of Bob’s life will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 21, 2020, at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church, 12251 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS, 66213. Due to COVID-19, masks are respectfully required. The service will be available via live stream at www.youtube.com/c/stthomasop
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Robert Shahan’s name to St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church at 12251 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS 66213 or to support research at the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center, KU Endowment Alzheimer’s Research, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., MS 3012, Kansas City, KS 66160.