ROBERT SHROPSHIRE Obituary

ROBERT SHROPSHIRE Robert Shropshire, of Santa Fe, NM, formerly of Los Alamos, Vienna, Johannesburg, Tokyo, and New York, passed away surrounded by family at his daughter Julia's home in Massachusetts, following a 7-year battle with cancer. A son of the late William Shropshire and late Julia Mabel Perno, Robert was born July 3, 1941 in Astoria, New York, and educated in Hauppauge public schools, where he lettered in cross country, soccer, track and wrestling. Later he was inducted into the High School Athletics Hall of fame. Robert received a BS and MS in nuclear engineering from Columbia University. Robert joined the US Navy and served on the USS Sam Houston, the first nuclear submarine service. Following this, Robert worked all over the world as a nuclear engineer finally settling in Los Alamos, NM. He worked for nuclear non-proliferation at Los Alamos and with the IAEA in Vienna and Japan, for the good of mankind. Robert loved the arts. As a young man he played jazz trombone and continued to love jazz for the remainder of his life. He also loved fine art and when he retired from nuclear engineering he opened an art gallery in memory of his late son, Justin Robert Shropshire. In addition, Robert was an avid athlete, running marathons and ultramarathons here and overseas, including the 56-mile Comrades marathon. He also hiked Mt. Fuji on one of his many trips to Japan. Robert is survived by his two daughters, Julia L. Hannon and Elana A. Shropshire-Hongthong of Massachusetts; their mother and his former spouse, Lenore E. Maue; stepchildren Alexander and Marina Schachowskoj; grandchildren Phoebe Hannon, Daniel Hannon, Chloe Hannon, and Griffin Hongthong; devoted friends from New York, New Mexico, Minnesota and overseas, as well as many dear cousins from Long Island. An international man of mystery with impossibly high standards and a great capacity for fun, he will be terribly missed. A gathering to celebrate Robert's amazing life will be held Saturday, May 10, at 5 pm at Justin Robert Galleries, 307 Johnson Street, Santa Fe. If you wish to attend, RSVP to [email protected]. Please make a donation to your favorite dance, music, or arts organization in honor of Robert's dedication to and love of the arts.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Fe New Mexican from May 6 to May 7, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for ROBERT SHROPSHIRE

3 Entries

Sibylle Tretera

November 1, 2019

I had the honor to meet Robert in Vienna many years ago and stayed in touch in writing. I am very saddened to learn of his passing through the internet, but glad to have found the news. My warmest regards to his family. I will miss him, he was a wonderful human being.

Raymond Fritz

August 4, 2014

On behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans (USSVI), we offer our most sincere condolences and sympathy to Julia and Elana and all of Robert's family and friends in this time of sorrow. God bless you with peace, comfort you, and heal your broken hearts. We are especially thankful for Robert's service to our country in the U.S. Submarine Service during the Cold War on the USS Greenfish SS-351 ETRSN(SS) 1961 and the USS Sam Houston SSBN/SSN-609 ETR2(SS) 1963-65. Robert left the Navy as a ETR2(SS). To our “Brother of the Dolphin” we say … "Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. May you rest in peace and may God bless your loved ones who remain. Thank you for your service to our country."

So, heavenly Father add his name to the roll
Of our departed shipmates still on patrol.
Let them know that we who survive
Will always keep their memories alive.

Bless those who serve beneath the deep,
Through lonely hours their vigil keep.
May peace their mission ever be!
Protect each one, we ask of Thee.

Bless those at home who wait and pray
For their return by night and day.

Robert Shropshire, ETR2(SS), US Navy, Now on Eternal Patrol.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate
His record is now posted online in the Eternal Patrol file on the USSVI website.

Rev. Ray Fritz, National Chaplain United States Submarine Veterans, USSVI.