Robert G Shade

Robert "Bob" Guth Shade, age 97, World War II Army Air Corps B-17 and B-29 bomber pilot was rebirthed to spirit January 14, 2020 at his daughter's home in Las Cruces. Bob was born at the family's Shadeland Hereford farm on November 4, 1922, in Elkhart Township, Plymouth County, Iowa, to George M. And Evelyn (Marshall) Shade. As a child Bob's mother said he was often seen trying to change the course of a creek on the farm by using a spoon. This determination for change would later be used to help make huge changes for those with mental disabilities in Iowa. Growing up in a classic farm town Bob loved riding his Shetland pony and playing with the dogs on the farm. In his youth the family sold their farm and opened a grocery store. Like many stores in the 1930's it also doubled as the post office. He enjoyed helping his parents with tasks around the store and grew to have a strong work ethic. After high school Bob went on to attend the University of South Dakota to get his Juris Doctor degree to be a lawyer. While attending school World War II began and Bob enlisted in the US Air Corps. Little did Bob know he would meet the love of his life, Arlene Sophia Ethel Perry Shade, in Sioux City, IA, while training for the US Air Corps. Bob and Arlene knew each other from their hometown, as Arlene's family had a farm down the road and often saw each other in the small rural town area and at church. At the time Arlene was in Sioux City, IA to get her nursing degree. Their courtship started on the dance floor at the military base. Arlene is said to have been an excellent Jitterbug dancer and caught Bob's eye. Their daughter Laurie recalls her father's story of seeing her mom at the dances and being taken away. The two married on April 29, 1945 before Bob shipped out for the war. During WWII Bob was a B-17 and B-29 bomber pilot in the Pacific. After the bomb was dropped on Japan, Bob's planes helped deliver aid to those in Japan. After the war he returned to college and finished his degree to become a lawyer. With his wife they had four children. Bob was preceded in death by his wife and three of his children, Randall Lee Shade, Jane Renee Shade-Bieu and Kay Diane Shade. He is survived by his daughter Laurie Shade Neff, son-in law Dean Neff and grandsons Luke Neff wife Mandiee Franco-Neff, Paul Neff, Ian Neff and Kay's daughter Christy Ann Tippery. Bob and Arlene lived much of their lives in Iowa and then in the mountains of Colorado and ending with the lovely southwest desert of New Mexico. Bob spent most of his career selling insurance, which was an up and coming business opportunity at the time. He was successful and had his own agency when he retired. His daughter Laurie remembers as a child Bob being an active part of her life. "The best thing my dad did for me, I was a very shy girl and we joined the Indian Princesses. It was a father daughter group. I was Little Acorn and my dad was my Mighty Oak. It meant so much to me," she said. Church was a huge part of Bob's life. Him and his wife were Methodist and took the family to church every Sunday. Laurie remembers going to church three to four times a week for Sunday school, choir, and other activities. When he wasn't at church or work Bob was always busy. He was a Mason, in Kiwanis, coached the kids church softball teams, and was their Sunday school teacher among many other groups and actives. He was a constant mighty oak in his children's lives. Bob's eldest child Randall had Down syndrome and lived in a hospital for people with disabilities. Bob and Arlene were instrumental in creating change in living conditions and treatment for those in hospitals and homes like the one their son was in. One of Bob's proudest accomplishments was being the state president of the Iowa Association for Retarded Citizens. Laurie says Bob liked that he was always making life better for his son. "That was really important to him," she said. All three of Bob's daughters challenged and helped expand his ideas of the world with their strong wills and nontraditional ideas. Bob enjoyed constant debates with them and learning about their lives. In retirement Bob and Arlene loved to travel and visit many friends, and countless nieces and nephews and other relatives. They had an RV that they traveled the country in. Bob enjoyed fishing. His grandsons remember taking camping and fishing trips with them. They enjoyed playing card games and spending Christmas with their grandparents. Later in life the boys remember getting financial advice from Bob and listening to the many stories of his life. After his daughter Laurie moved to Las Cruces in 1998, Bob and Arlene moved to town 2002. They were closer to their three grandsons and tried to make it to all of their sports and activities. He enjoyed singing with the group Young at Heart, helping the Us Too Prostate Cancer Support Group for Men, raising money and helping veterans, and his large community of friends at the Good Samaritan and Solstice Senior Living Center. Bob loved to dance and was able to attend the senior center dances a number of times. His family and friends remember him as a man who worked hard, had a passion for helping others and enjoyed spending time with those he cared for. His family misses him tremendously and remember him as, "I'm happy go lucky, Bob," like he always said. They will try to follow in his footsteps as a kind, compassionate person and live so they can say, like he said often, "Well I can say this, I've had a really good life." A memorial service will be held at the Center for Spiritual Living at 4:00 p.m., on Sunday, January 19, 2020 with a potluck following. In lieu of flowers please contribute to treesisters at this link: https://treesisters.org/fundraisers/mighty-oak-bob-shade-memory-forest Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman Ave. Las Cruces, NM 88001. Please visit www.getzcares.com to visit the online guest book.