Robert E. Shippee

Robert E. "Bob" Shippee, 84, passed away at 9:18 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, at his home surrounded by his family. Mr. Shippee was a 1941 graduate of Lena Community High School, Lena, Ill., where he lettered in basketball and was active in drama, speech and debate. He was selected to Premier Boys State Illinois by American Legion Post 577, where he was elected state county recorder and auditor of accounts. Shippee's earlier workplaces included the farm, a cheese factory and the War Ordnance Department, Savanna Ordnance Depot, Proving Ground, Ill., as munitions handler. He proudly enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 in Chicago. His service included: Second Marine Division and Fifth Amphibious Corps, Fleet Marine Force, Asiatic Pacific Area from 1942 to 1944, participating in the defense of Uvea, Wallis Islands, Apamama, Gilbert Islands and maneuvers at Barking Sands, Kauai, Territory of Hawaii. Shippee was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and was staff sergeant at the time of his honorable discharge. A position with the Veterans Administration moved Mr. Shippee to St. Louis, where he planned on pursuing a medical career. However, a newspaper ad for the Midwestern School of Broadcasting reminded him of a favorite teacher who had suggested he utilize his excellent speaking voice. A GI Bill financed his course and upon graduation, he became the staff announcer for KRKN in Fort Smith, Ark. He was suggested for and accepted another position in Campbellsville, Ky., where his was the first voice heard on WTCO. Shippee soon became a local celebrity as "The Man on the Street." Crowds would fill the street hoping to be in the middle of an interview as an alarm clock (worn around Shippee's neck) would ring making them an instant cash winner. A favorite interview from that time was "bellboy" John "Johnnie" Norventini, the live trademark for Phillip Morris. Bob married Patsy "Pat" Gibson in Campbellsville on Nov. 10, 1948. He often joked that he and Pat were really celebrating the anniversary of the Marine Corps. On Nov. 4, 1949, at 7 a.m., Bob's was once again the first voice to air on a radio station: WJCD, Seymour. Seymour would become their home. In 1950, he interviewed conjoined twins, Daisy and Violet Hilton, at the Stardust Drive-in. Ironically, when only 2 years old, Bob and his twin sister, Ruth, were taken to a twin party in Freeport, Ill., where Daisy and Violet were the stars. A re-enlistment in the Marine Corps in 1951 at Parris Island, S.C., sent Shippee aboard the USNS Gen. Weigel at San Diego and on to Yokosuka, Japan; Pusan, Korea; Tokyo and Honolulu, ranking as technical sergeant at the time of his second honorable discharge. He returned to WJCD AM/FM and continued as an announcer and general manager until his was the last voice to broadcast using the WJCD call letters during the sign-off at 10 p.m. on Feb. 14, 1990. His "Top of the morning, sports fans!" introduction and years of announcing Seymour High School sporting events earned the title "The Voice of the Owls." When asked his game highlights, he would say, "Being able to share the mike with my son, Bud, for 14 years." One major disappointment was a canceled interview moments before it was to take place with then-Sen. John F. Kennedy, who was suffering vocal chord stress. His many memberships included: Boy Scouts of America, Future Farmers of America, Indiana Broadcaster Association, National Association of Broadcasters, National Association of High School Broadcasters, Husbands of ESA, Sexton Dance Club, Seymour Elks Lodge 462 and American Legion Post 89. Shippee was a former member of the Seymour City Chamber of Commerce where he was chair of the public relations committee and instrumental in the placement of welcome signs into Seymour. He served as president on the Seymour Plan Commission and Jackson County Plan Commission and said the rezoning of East Tipton was an interesting case. One of his greatest pleasures was contributing to the Jackson County Fair as emcee for the afternoon Western Horse Show and evening English Classes Show for several years, and later serving as emcee for the Jackson County Fair Queen Pageant. Over the years, Mr. Shippee was honored with the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrator's Association Distinguished Service Award, Seymour High School Athletic Department "The Voice of the Owls" appreciation award, Indiana Broadcaster of the Year 1984, 2004 American Legion Post 577 World War II gratitude award, 1989 Kiwanis Club of Seymour Distinguished Service Award for 40 Years of Community Service, Honorary Chapter Farmer by Future Farmers of America and 1988 Jackson County Fire Chief's Association Outstanding Service Award. His 106th donation of blood to the Jackson County Chapter of the American Red Cross in 1998 marked a total donation of 13.25 gallons. Mr. Shippee was a devoted and active member of First United Methodist Church, Seymour, having served on the board of trustees and as a liturgist and usher. His faith, patriotism and love of family, music, animals and laughter have been passed on to each of his children and grandchildren. Born Jan. 10, 1923, in Lena, Ill., he was the son of Grover Cleveland and Orpha Diamond Wiley Shippee. Survivors include his wife, Pat; his four children, Connie (Garry) Roney, Bonnie (Rick) Findley, Robert "Bud" (Deb) Shippee and Shirley (Perry) Knecht, all of Seymour; eight grandchildren, Monica (Darin) Kriete, Seymour, Wendy (Glenn) Meek, Columbus, and Andrew (Stephanie) Maschino, twins Sean Hanna and Barbara Hanna, Jamie Shippee, Tyler Shippee and Michael Knecht, all of Seymour; and eight great-grandchildren, Jacob and Benjamin Wiley Kriete, Charlize and Payne Meek and Patrick, Kaleigh, Micah and Isabel Maschino. Other survivors include his mother-in-law, Ruth Gibson Ford, 98, Campbellsville, Ky.; six sisters, his twin, Ruth Ingram, Yuma, Ariz., Virginia Haas, Oakhurst, Calif., Lois Paulson, Lena, Ill., Geraldine Prince, Freeport, Ill., Elsie Lobdell, Lena, and Orpha "Pookie" Schubert, Weaverville, N.C. He was preceded in death by a baby brother, Leon Wiley Shippee, and a sister, Sue Phillips. The Rev. Steve Cherry, along with hospice chaplain Marsha Rodenberger, will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, Seymour. Burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery, Seymour, with full military graveside services being conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled Veterans and Korean Veterans, all of Seymour. Friends may call from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Voss Chapel, Seymour, and from 9 a.m. until time of service Monday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Brad A. Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund, First United Methodist Church Stained Glass Restoration Fund or Hospice of Schneck Medical Center. www.vossfuneralservice.com