John R. "Bob" Sheedy

john

October 12, 1922 ~ August 12, 2017

TIME OF VISITATION: celebrating Bob’s life will be held from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, August 12, 2017, at Four Seasons Chapel MEMORIAL DONATIONS: Bulldog Alumni Association, 1400 25th Street, Columbus, IN 47201.TO VIEW BOB'S MEMORIAL VIDEO, PLEASE CLICK HEREJohn R. “Bob” Sheedy, 94, of Columbus, died at 8:43 p.m. Thursday, August 3, 2017, at Four Seasons Retirement Center. He was born October 12, 1922, in Rush County, Indiana, the son of Alonzo Thomas and Charlotte Alaelie Inlow Sheedy.   Bob graduated from Manilla High School and earned his bachelor and master’s degrees in history from Indiana University. He attended classes and workshops at various universities including, Northwestern, Temple, University of Wyoming and Oxford. In 1960, he received a Fullbright Scholarship to study in South America. Having been a secondary teacher for 43 years, Bob taught at Mt. Auburn, Huntingburg, and Harford City before he retired after 32 years at Columbus High and Columbus North High School, where he served as the social studies chair for 24 years. Until the 2007-2008 school year, Bob volunteered at Columbus North High School, Columbus Visitor’s Center as a tour guide and at McDowell Education Center as a tutor for English-as-second-language students. Bob was honored in 2000, when he was named by Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation as a Hall of Fame teacher. He was a member of NEA, ISTA and Bartholomew County Retired Teachers. Outside teaching, Bob’s interests included reading, baking, playing the piano, walking and exercising. He played bridge and was a champion in trivia games. He traveled extensively to numerous locations, including, Alaska, Europe several times, North Africa, Kenya, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, South America, Mexico, and Central America. Bob was a member of the Unitarian – Universalist Fellowship. Survivors include his niece, Liza (Ted) Bates of Milton, Indiana; nephew, William Rhoades of Rushville, Indiana; great-nephews, Dustin and Ian Bates of Milton, Indiana and great-niece, Aubrey Rhoades of Greensburg, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, William Inlow Sheedy; and a sister, Annabeth Sheedy Rhoades.

 

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Mister Sheedy is one of the few teachers I remember from Columbus (Senior) HS, 1956-57. He was truly worth remembering and was a fine gentleman. Fifty years later I recognized him at the Library where I informed him that his encouragement allowed this poor boy to work my way through 3 college degrees! What a teacher! My condolences to the family.

  2. Bob was one of my favorite teachers when I was in high school. He was so full of life and always shared a wealth of information with his students. I also had the priviledge of teaching with Bob in the same school for many years. I got to know him as a person instead as my teacher and even got the opportunity to socialize with him from time to time. I so enjoyed his zest for life and of course all of his wonderful stories. He will be missed. Be comforted in know that Bob is now in a much better place.

  3. It was an honor to know Bob; he was kind, well-read, and well-traveled. He inspired and guided his students in high school with skill and talent. Thanks, Bob!

  4. First, I want to say how sorry I am that I can’t be there for the celebration of Bob’s life. He was a dear, dear friend to me. I visited him in the hospital after his recent stroke. When he saw me, even though he couldn’t say anything, he grinned widely, and I knew that he knew me. Then I saw him two days before I left on vacation, and he was sound asleep. I was so afraid I wouldn’t see him again. I will always treasure my memories of attending basketball games together, taking students to the Shakespeare Festival in Canada, practicing our acts for “The Sensational Sixties,” going to parties, attending the Philharmonic Symphony programs for years, enjoying his wonderful cooking, and countless other good times. Before Google, there was Bob. Whenever there was a question and none of us knew the answer, Bob did. The breadth and scope of his mind was amazing. Whenever I was bored or blue, I’d call him to go to a movie or something, and he’s say, “Why not?” – and we’d go, whether or not he really wanted to. That’s what kind of a friend he was. Bob’s kindnesss, his generosity, his love of people, his sense of humor, and his congeniality describe my wonderful friend, whom I will always miss.


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle