Robert Joseph Shostak

Robert Joseph Shostak, 81, of Athens, Ohio, passed away at his residence on May 19, 2025. Robert was born in a work camp in Aschaffenburg, Germany, during World War II, the son of Eva (Osczypok) and Joe Shostak. In 1949, the Shostak family immigrated to the United States and eventually settled in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Robert graduated from Quaker Valley High School, attended Bowling Green State University for undergraduate, and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh in 1971. Robert had several law practices, including in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Corona Del Mar, California; and Athens, Ohio. With a focus on Environmental Law, he took on a variety of cases and clients throughout his career. He argued before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1974, was celebrated for his activism with the Environmental Protection Agency including Senator Mo Udall, addressed the United Nations in Prague in 1991, worked as corporate counsel for the FrozFruit company, lobbied before congress, and published numerous papers about the law throughout his career. In addition to his law practice, Robert was a professor of Environmental Law at Ohio University, worked as solicitor for the Villages of Chauncey and Coolville, and served on the Athens City Council. Robert spent his life championing the underprivileged and he made an impact in every community of which he was a part. His elaborate tales of growing up playing the accordion, his time in the courtroom, and raising horses (with no prior experience) entranced everyone who listened. His wealth of knowledge impressed us and no one won an argument with him, though many tried. He was generous with his legal expertise and donated to numerous charitable causes. His democratic stance on political issues was unmatched. Charismatic and magnetic, he could walk into a room of strangers and leave everyone feeling like his friend. Robert is survived by his life partner Charlotte Newman; daughters, Laura Judy, Jennifer (Donnie Fray) Shostak, and Alexandra Shostak; grandchildren, Matthew Judy, Patrick Judy, Juliana Fray, and Skylar Fray; and siblings, John (Linda) Shostak, and Martha (Mark) Jamison. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eva and Joe Shostak, and his son-in-law Brian Judy. He was the bedrock of our family and a pillar we all leaned on, and he will be greatly missed. No services are planned at this time. At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, donations to UNICEF or the Athens County Food Pantry are recommended.