Dr. Robert Lewis Shumate

Dr. Robert Lewis Shumate, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Bluffton, SC on July 31, 2013 with his family at his side. Dr. Shumate was born March 2, 1917 in Mullens, West Virginia. He was the son of Dr. Robert and Jennie Workman Shumate. He graduated from Mullens High School and attended Concord College and West Virginia University. He graduated Emory University, Atlanta GA with the Degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in May of 1942. He married the love of his life Harriet Virginia Hadden, daughter of Alexander and Reaetta Hadden of Athens, West Virginia in 1941. They were married for 63 years until her passing in 2005. Robert enlisted in the Navy in April 1942 and reported for active duty at the Naval Air Station Dispensary in Norfolk, VA on January 2, 1943. He remained at the Dispensary until September 1944 when he was assigned to the medical department of the USS Hancock, CV-19, an Essex class aircraft carrier. The Hancock operated in the Pacific and received 5 battle stars. Robert left the Navy a Lt. Senior Grade in February of 1946. Proud to have served on the Hancock, Robert was a member of the USS Hancock Association and looked forward to the reunions with his shipmates. After the war, Robert settled in Bluefield, WV where he practiced dentistry until his retirement in 1979. He served as President and as Secretary-Treasurer of the Mercer-McDowell Dental Society and as a member of the Executive Council in the West Virginia Dental Society. He was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church and served on the board of Deacons, President of the Men of the Church and the Men's Bible Class. After his retirement he became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid, Florida. Robert spent 25 years in Florida actively pursuing golf balls and fresh water fish. He returned every fall, until he was 90, to deer hunt in VA. He often hosted venison dinners and fish fries for his neighborhood of Covered Bridge in Lake Placid. After the passing of Harriet in 2005, Bob moved to Sun City Hilton Head in Bluffton, SC to be near his daughter Sandra Benninger of Sun City and his son, Robert Shumate III of Bluffton. Robert is survived by three grandchildren, Eric ("Danielle") Benninger of Livonia, MI, Britney Stieber of Northville, MI, Robert Shumate IV of Chicago, IL four great-grandchildren Jacob and Andrew Benninger and Candence and Haven Stieber and a sister, Imogene Lawson of Scott Depot, WV. During the last year and a half, Robert was aided by some extraordinary caregivers. The family wishes to thank Jamie Badger, Joesnetta Clarke, Donna Devine, Paula Ford, Sharon Fraser, Norma Gourley, Ty Jacobucci, and Cordell Stroman for the love and care that you gave our Dad. Our family is blessed to have you as a part of our lives. Donations may be made in Roberts name to the Lowcountry Presbyterian Church, 1- Simmonsville Road, Bluffton, SC 29910. A private family memorial service is planned in Lake Placid, FL.