Robert C. Shene

Robert C. "Bob" Shene, 77, of Tempe, Arizona, died Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at Hospice of the Valley Medical Center with his family and friends at his side. He was born Sept. 22, 1929 to Clarence and Mildred Shene in Plattsburgh, NY. As a boy he discovered his lifelong passion - airplanes and flying. He obtained his pilot's license at 15. Pursuing his dream, he enlisted in the Air Force in 1950, wanting to be a fighter pilot. Not needing pilots, he was put in Design Radar School. He was assigned to Portland AFB, where he applied to transfer to the Army for liaison pilot school. After transferring, he was told once again they needed no pilots. He then went through anti-aircraft artillery training, rising to the rank of lieutenant, and was discharged in 1954. Later his pride and joy was purchasing a T-6 trainer, which he flew for several years. His passion included building handmade scale model radio controlled airplanes, a hobby he enjoyed his entire life. Many of these planes hang in the establishment where he met with his coffee drinking buddies. Bob married Peggy Reid in 1955. They had three children. His work in sales and marketing moved them across the country to Ohio with Astatic, to Michigan with Electro-Voice, and to Kansas City with Midland International. Bob moved to Phoenix in 1973. He married Nancy Robinson in 1978. They enjoyed 29 wonderful years together. In 1988 Bob became a colonel in the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) - Arizona Wing. He was very active with the CAF, traveling across the country on tour with the B-17 Sentimental Journey. Bob was known for his quick wit, great memory and knack for telling bad jokes, earning him the nickname "BJ" by his many friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bill Shene, his stepdaughter Debbie Dailey, and his grandson Christopher Wright. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 2pm at Green Acres Mortuary, 401 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale. There will also be a service in Kansas City, MO on August 11. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St, Phx, AZ, 85014 and the Commemorative Air Force - Arizona Wing, 2017 N. Greenfield Rd, Mesa, AZ, 85215. Bob is survived by his loving wife Nancy of Tempe, Arizona, daughter and son-in-law Betsy and John Kearney of Leawood, Kansas, son David Shene of Columbia, Missouri, son and daughter-in-law John and Lisa Shene of Kansas City, Missouri, stepson and wife Steve and Becky Swearengen of Milan, Missouri, stepgrandson Jason Fordyce, grandchildren Erin and Kyle Wright, Morgan and Connor Shene, sisters Karen Chambers and Dot Hardy, sister-in-law Ginny Shene, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog Cody. Bob touched the lives of many people. He was very loved and will be greatly missed.
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