Robert John Shannon

Published 10:39 am Tuesday, June 17, 2003

Robert John Shannon

March 30, 1931-June 9, 2003

HERMISTON Robert John Shannon died Monday, June 9, at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston at the age of 72.

Bob was born March 30, 1931, in Wallace, Idaho, to Robert G. and Louise Arnold Shannon. He had been a resident of Hermiston since 1969.

He was a veteran in the U.S. Army in the Korean War, serving for two years. Shortley after that, he joined the Oregon State Police and was a state trooper in Pendleton and John Day for eight years. He became a Hermiston police chief in 1969, a position he held until his retirement in 1991.

During his tenure as police chief, Shannon wrote grants which brought the Hermiston Public Safety Center, a law enforcement radio network system, the Hospital Emergency Ambulance System, radar units, a microfilm system, a new juvenile center in Pendleton and much more. He was responsible for giving Hermiston its 911 system.

He was a past president of the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police.

He was appointed by the governor to three different Oregon state boards and task forces related to law enforcement.

In 1971, he earned an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Blue Mountain Community College and later taught criminal justice courses there. He helped found the Hermiston Christmas Express program, worked hard to build up support and funding for the program, and participated as the driver of the Santa Bus for many years, taking great delight in broadcasting the most ridiculous Christmas songs he could find over the loudspeaker all over town. He was a member of the Hermiston Kiwanis Club, serving as chapter president and lieutenant governor.

Over the years, Shannon has volunteered in many civic activities. He was a member of the Hermiston Volunteer Fire Department. He was an American Red Cross chapter chairperson and a Red Cross water safety chairperson. He regularly announced parades in Hermiston, Stanfield and Echo. He served with the Boy Scouts of America, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the local Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship program, the SAIL Spelling Bee and Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy program. The Armand Larive Middle School music program presents the Bob Shannon Award annually to the community member who volunteers the most to their program.

Shannon was an active member of the Eagles Lodge and was found of the exclusive Minnehaha Men’s Club.

Retirement didn’t slow Shannon down. He served on the Umatilla County Vector Control Board of Trustees, and was the municipal court judge for the cities of Stanfield and Echo.

Bob Shannon was active in Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church.

He sang in the church choir, was a parish financial data input person, kept the paris census current and served as a computer techician. He was a co-founder and organizer of the annual Pig Out Fundraiser.

And he was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus and director for the 15th district.

Bob Shannon dedicated his life to his family, church the law enforcement profession and the community. His work and his accomplishments touched thousands. He will be sorely missed.

He married his wife, Georgette E. Shannon, on June 16, 1951, in Portland.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two aunts and one uncle.

He is survived by his wife, Georgette E. Shannon of Hermiston; sons, Robert Joseph Shannon of Umatilla, Michael of Germany and Mark of Nevada; daughters, Sharon Shannon of La Grande, and Rosie Marcum, Cindy McIntyre, Susan Callahan and Kathy Moore, all of Hermiston; sisters, Sharon Bierek of Philomath and Sally Shannon of Portland; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two aunts; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Recitation of the Rosary will be held Monday, June 16, 2003, at 7 p.m. at the Burns Mortuary Chapel. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, June 17, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church. Burial of cremains will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery. Disposition was by cremation.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church Building Fund. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of the arrangements.