Obituary: Robert Shunk

VERONA - Robert T. "Bob" T. Shunk, age 71, died on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center. Bob was born and raised in the "Bush", on the south side of Madison. He attended St. Raphael's Grade School and graduated from Central High School. Bob went into the Marines while a senior in high school, and after boot camp, went to Korea, where he spent two tours of duty. After Korea, he was a drill instructor at San Diego, and a criminal investigator in the Philippines. Bob graduated with an Associate Degree in Police Science from MATC, and attended Milton College, in the Criminal Justice Degree Program, until they closed down. He taught law enforcement officers in the Police Science Program for 14 years and at the Police Academy for 20 years. Bob went on to graduate from the Secret Service School, the FBI Academy and a Forensic Document Examiners Course at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He retired from the Dane County Sheriff Department after 25 years as a detective and the detective sergeant and was promoted to the first, and only, Forensic Document Examiner, before retiring. While in the Sheriffs Department, he was assigned to the Major Crime Unit, and investigated some big cases. After his retirement, he was a Private Forensic Document Examiner for 12 years and testified all over the United States and in foreign countries. He was hired to examine fingerprints and handwriting in a bombing case in London, England. While there, he worked at the New Scotland Yard; examine evidence and testifying at the Old Bailey Court. He has also worked cases in Ireland and Japan. He has lectured to law schools, court systems, law firms, and Forensic Document Examiners Conferences all over the United States and Canada. He wrote and taught a 40-hour course on Forensic Documents for Police Investigators. He also taught Golden Gloves Boxing and Womens Self Defense Courses. Bob retired from all of this and started as the custodial engineer for St. Andrew's Parish, Verona. He was the Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus for two terms. He was on the Parish Council and ushered for the church. He moved up to stewardship where he truly showed his love for "God." Bob was preceded in death, by his father, Lavern Shunk; his father-in-law, Lawrence Normington; mother-in-law; Helen Normington; a brother-in-law, Harold Heidi; and two nephews, Mike and Danny Heidi. He leaves behind his loving wife of 49 years, Barbara Jean (Normington); his mother, Lorraine of Verona; brothers, James (Carol) of Madison, Ray (Fran) of Madison; sister, Sharon of New Mexico; five loving children, Robert Jr. (Maureen) of Verona, Rick (Rita) of Indiana, Larry of Verona, Jamie (Bill) of Indiana, and David (Mary) of Albany; 17 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Bob fought a long battle with cancer but thru it all he was strong and brave. He was truly a miracle. His strength, determination and character made many admire him. His love for family and friends and his church will be remembered forever. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ANDREW'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 301 N. Main St., Verona, on Monday, October 10, 2005 at 11 a.m. The Rev. David Timmerman will officiate with burial in St. Andrews Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2005 at the Church, and then again on Monday, October 10, 2005 at the Church from 10:00 a.m. until the service time. In Lieu of flowers, we ask all Donations be given to St. Andrews Parish for the new building fund, Hospice Care Center, (Madison) and the Stewardship Community-St. Andrews Parish. A special thanks to Father David Timmerman and the St. Andrews Parish and Staff, and also St. Marys Hospital, Dr. Araliaji and the Hospice Center. Joyce-Ryan Verona Funeral Home & Cremation Services 118 N. Franklin St. (608) 845-6625.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 8, 2005