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Robert Shaye Obituary
Ridgeland
Dr. Robert Shaye, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away April 12, 2017, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Dr. Shaye was born on November 9, 1937 in New Haven, Connecticut. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Connecticut and his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from New York University. Following his graduation from dental school, he served in the United States Army on active duty with the 86th Medical Detachment in Bad Hersfeld, Germany, as well as the United States Army Hospital at West Point. It was during his tenure in Germany that he met his beautiful wife, Baerbel.
He went on to complete his orthodontic training and received his Doctorate of Medical Dentistry from the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Upon returning to the United States, Dr. Shaye spent one year at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry before moving to Louisiana to become a professor at Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans. He also continued his military service in the Army Reserves with the 4010th U.S. Army Hospital in New Orleans. He retired from the military in 1996, as a Colonel with 41 years of service.
Upon retiring from LSU in 1995, Dr. Shaye and his wife moved to Ridgeland, Mississippi where he became Chairman of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He retired from UMMC in 2012. He received the high honor of Professor Emeritus from both LSU and UMMC. During his 40-year career, Dr. Shaye taught hundreds of dentists and orthodontists who now practice all over the world.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Baerbel, two daughters Natalie Shaye Howell and husband Jay of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Alexandra Shaye Brown and husband Keith of Ridgeland, Mississippi. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Shaye, Jack, Alex, and Kate Howell, and William and Wyatt Brown.
According to his wishes, there will be no formal services. If you wish to honor his memory, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in his name.
"Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life." -Albert Einstein
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Shaye
Sponsored by Natchez Trace Funeral Home Cemetery & Crematory.
Shelley Bausch
April 9, 2019
I cannot believe it's been 2 years since Dr. Shaye passed away. Bill & I still talk off and on about our time at the dental school and all of Dr. Shaye's corny jokes! When Bill & I were getting ready to move to Iowa, I had told Dr. Shaye I'd miss his 'corny jokes'---to which he replied 'corny??' LOL Yes, Dr. Shaye, 'corny'. Since Dr. Shaye passed we have lost another, Dr. Chadha. In my mind, everyone is still 'very much alive' and still making me laugh. May he rest in peace..... Bill & Shelley (Gebbs) Bausch
Jagdish chadha
May 4, 2017
we are very sorry to hear about Robert passing . May he rest in peace and give you and your family enough strength to bear the loss .
April 27, 2017
Dear Baerbel and Shaye Family. Virginia and I are so sorry to learn of Bob's passing. Bob and Baerbel were our wonderful neighbors on Wheeler Street in Metairie for many years. It was my pleasure to enjoy many hallway conversations with Bob as he was clinically sharp and had a keen research mind for the postgraduate students. He served admirable in Dr. J M Chadha Orthodontic department and subsequently as Dean of Research for LSU School of Dentistry. God Bless Bob, Baerbel and the Shaye family. Our deepest sympathy. Virginia and Jack Kent
John N Kent, DDS, FACD, FICD
Boyd Professor and Head
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
1973-2002, 2003-8
LSU School of Dentistry
Professor Emeritus
V Miller
April 21, 2017
May God be with the family in y'all time of grief.
Nicholas Plaisance
April 19, 2017
Dear Shaye family
I was very sad to learn about DrShaye. I will always remember him as a great teacher and always being available to help any of his students. This was especially true during my research project. I will never forget how with his guidance and help I was able to complete this research during ortho school. Those were really fond remembered. May God Bless him and his entire family! Nicholas A. Plaisance '78
V. Jenell Williams
April 19, 2017
To the Shaye Family:
I was one of the assistants in the Orthodontic Department at LSU School of Dentistry and worked closely with Dr Shaye from 1982-1995. Dr Dhaye was an excellent professor, a jokester, and family man. We knew as soon as he entered the clinic or the office he would do something or say something to make everyone laugh. We all enjoyed working with him. He will be missed by all that knew him.
A Prayer for the Bereaved Family: May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD make HIS Face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.. May the LORD lift up HIS COuntenance upon you and give you HIS peace. Numbers 6:24-26 Much Love. Ms Jenell W.
Jack Clotworthy
April 18, 2017
To Baerbel and family,
Laura and I were so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He was such a wonderful teacher, friend and colleague. We enjoyed your company so much at LSU functions. He was always so friendly and humorous and took a special interest in my wellbeing as a student and instructor. We will miss him dearly. God bless you. Love you, Jack and Laura Clotworthy
Michael Guevara
April 17, 2017
To the Shaye family,I also was one of Dr.Shaye's orthodontic residents 1975-77 and a colleague as I was also on the faculty in the orthodontic department 1977-1985.Bob was an excellent teacher, orthodontist, colleague and a lot of fun.Always cheerful and witty.He will be missed.God bless.
Michael Williams
April 17, 2017
Dear Shaye Family:
As a former patient and student of your father, I found inspiration to pursue a career in orthodontics. Bob was a keen mind which I respected and his loss is that of someone who has mentored by his actions. I trust there are many others who he has come in contact with who have also been affected by his friendship and example. His loss is a sad one for all but there is comfort in knowing that he lived a purposeful life for himself and others.
With greatest sympathy to his family and loved ones.
Sincerely
Michael Owen Williams, DDS
Stephen Bradford
April 17, 2017
Dearest Shaye Family,
I so enjoyed getting to know Dr. Shaye as my professor at LSU Orthodontics during my 2 year residency and for the past 26 years as an active alumnus returning to visit the faculty and students. He was very instrumental in developing our top notch program and will be missed in the academic settings that he was so fond of. I always remember his challenges to us as students and his quest for knowledge to be better the next day than he was previously. May you all remember his goodness of character, his loving kindness and his great sense of humor. Until we see him again may our memories of him burn brightly
Sujata Bhatia
April 17, 2017
Dear Shaye family ,
Your father was an amazing mentor to me. To this day I continue to draw from the "Shaye box" of practical wisdom that came from him during my 2 years of residency at LSU.
His legacy will live on in the lives that he has shaped and changed for the better .
Steve Tinsworth
April 16, 2017
Dear Shaye Family,
It was my privilege and benefit to receive training and friendship from a sincere and commited teacher of orthodontics as a member of the very first class at LSU '72-74.
I appreciated his part of establishing quality and standards in LSU orthodontic education.
I have enjoyed seeing him over the years and remember him fondly as a kind spirit in nurturing us as young residents.
My prayers for comfort are extended to all family and friends who have wonderful memories of Bob.
Steve Tinsworth,DMD
Bradenton, FL
April 16, 2017
Baerbel,
We are deeply saddened to learn of Bob's passing. We spent four great years together at NYU Dental. I am thankful that we were able to reconnect over these last few years.
We have fond memories (and pictures!) of the day we met you in New Orleans. I am also thankful that I was able to read his translation and chat about it with him.
Our sincere sympathy is extended to you and your family. I will miss him.
Warmest thoughts,
Dr. Carl & Helen DiGregorio
Lisa Susano
April 15, 2017
So sorry for the loss of your father. He sounds like he was a brilliant man. Prayers
Bill & Shelley Bausch
April 15, 2017
Dr Shaye, You will be missed and will always be remembered by all who knew you.
Bill & Shelley Bausch
April 15, 2017
Mrs. Shaye & family,
My husband and I were very sad to hear of the passing of Dr. Shaye. I was a dental assistant and worked with Dr. Shaye at LSU Dental School & my husband, William Bausch, was an orthodontist there . We really enjoyed Dr. Shaye so much ! He was always cheerful and telling corny jokes and always talking about his daughters ! He was a true family man and always spoke so lovingly about all of you.
We were lucky enough to have kept in touch with Dr. Shaye during his last months, and very glad we did. He will be missed by so many people in his life.
Bill and Shelley Bausch. Iowa
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