WILLIAM-SHUMATE-Obituary

WILLIAM L. SHUMATE Ph.D.

Boston, Massachusetts

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Boston, Massachusetts

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SHUMATE, William L., PhD 76, beloved godfather, mentor and friend to people of all ages, died peacefully at his home in Boston on December 18th. A memorial service and other details will be announced at a later date.

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It's been a few years since our mutual friend, Bill Shumate, passed. I knew him for more than 50 years, and I still marvel at what a gift he was to his friends and colleagues. I am 75 now, and spend more time reflecting on the enriching relationships I had during my life. Bill was a prince, a giant among men, and I treasure his memory and the fond recollections many have added here. Thank you!

When my 2015 Christmas card was returned undelivered, I knew more research was needed to find Bill Shumate, a dear friend from St. Louis for more than 50 years. I first met Bill when he was a graduate student at Washington University and I was just a 10 year old boy. A friend of my brother, Peter, Bill was a welcome and frequent visitor to our home in St. Louis. He was an amazing friend and mentor to me through my teenage years and later in my adult life when we reconnected several times in...

Bill, my friend and "brother" since our college days. How you will be missed. Words cannot express my grief and sorrow. I introduced you to mountain climbing and because of me you climbed the Matterhorn in Zermatt. How honored I felt that you shared that accomplishment with me before anyone else. We hiked and climbed many mountains together and I shall forever cherish those wonderful times. We shared more fun times than I can rember. Your wisdom, love and friendship will always be a part of...

Dashing Bill on a New Year's Eve in St. Louis

Bill was a king among men and it will take everything he taught me to make sense of a world without him in it.

Bill Shumate, with his ability to listen, understand and accept, was a loyal and caring friend. Always gracious and kind, his intellectual curiosity and keen sense of humor would dissolve into laughter and fun. He will be remembered and missed.

Bill, Bilious, William, Willy, Will-Yam -- I've probably missed half the nicknames you endured from my family. It's a tribute to your kindness and good humor that you accepted them all without complaint, but I'm sure you knew that you were uniquely loved by each of us. You still are. I miss your booming laughter, but I like to think of it reverberating in a heavenly place where you are catching up with old friends and family. Cheers to you Willy, and I hope our paths cross again.

Bill was an incredible friend, mentor, colleague, logophile, & of course psychologist. He loved to laugh, correct my grammar, discuss words, think, edit, read, write, share, help and travel like no one I have ever met. I will undoubtedly miss his immeasurable generosity, warmth, humor, wisdom and friendship.

A longtime and valued colleague, devoted to the children and families he worked with, committed to the development of many generations of psychologists in training. He will be missed!