Robert Kelly "Bob" Shideler, 89, died peacefully at home on Sept. 4, 2013, after a lengthy illness. Born in Mancos, he was the eldest son of Francis Marvin and Eileen Kelly Shideler, whose families settled in western Colorado in the 1880s as ranchers and businessmen.
Services were Saturday, Sept. 7, Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Como, Miss., with the Rev. Don Chancellor officiating. Burial was at Rose Hill Cemetery.
After graduating from Carbondale High School in 1941, Bob enrolled at Colorado A&M in animal husbandry. He served two terms as president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.
Midway through his junior year, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the medical corps in Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and the Philippines on the USS Lubbock, returning to veterinary school in 1946. He later married Ruth Bainer Shideler of Fort Collins.
Bob's 25-year private veterinary practice began in Danville, IL, and continued in Sardis, MS, in 1960, where he built a veterinary practice owned today by his son Dr. Steven Shideler. He was North Panola County School Board president during integration and one of the first presidents of Panola Playhouse.
Professionally, Bob excelled on the state and national levels, serving as president of the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association and its veterinarian of the year; on the AVMA Council on Education, American Association of Equine Practitioners' board of directors, and as AAEP president and Distinguished Life Member. He served as senior warden at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Ft. Collins, and was known for his deep faith in Jesus Christ.
In 1974 Dr. Shideler accepted a faculty position in equine reproduction at Colorado State University, serving till his retirement at age 75. An avid alumnus, he was chosen president and outstanding alumni of the CSU 50 Year Club. Also involved in the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, Bob served as a director and enthusiastically chaired the scholarship trust. He was the 2013 honoree for the Red Meat Club. Bob had decades of pleasure as a member, president, and director of Roundup Riders of the Rockies, exploring the American West on horseback while supporting efforts to preserve its grandeur.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 50 years, Ruth, and his daughter Jana. Bob is survived by his sister, Mary (Lloyd) Hanson, of Pleasanton, Calif., and brother, Frank, of Tampa, Fla. His children are all in Mississippi: Steve (Sally) Shideler of Sardis, Robyn (Hap) Farber of Jackson, Marni (Bill) of Batesville, Craig (Calvert) Shideler of Senatobia, and Erin (Eddie) Nabors of Batesville. He has 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Robert K. Shideler Endowed Scholarship Fund in Equine Sciences (CSU, 410 University Services Center, Ft. Collins, CO 80523) or the charity of one's choice.
