In Memory
Robert Frank Shank
Sep. 8, 1925 - Apr. 17, 2004
Robert F. "Bob" Shank, 78, of Generations Drive, South Bend, Ind., slipped through our fingers and passed away on Saturday, April 17, after a brief illness.
Bob is survived by his wife of 54 years, Alice (Jensen) Shank. Bob and Alice met on a blind date on April Fool's Day, 1949. That little tidbit of information was good for many wisecracks down through the years. Bob spoiled and took great care of Alice through the trials and tribulations of life.
This dear, sweet man is also survived by his daughters, Christine Shank of South Bend, Ind., and Cheryl Kohnke of Mishawaka, Ind.; his grandson, Erik Richmond of Mishawaka; and by a great-granddaughter, Autumn.
Bob was born on Sept. 8, 1925, in Coloma, Mich. He was the only son of Myrtle and Herman Shank. He was the light of their eyes.
He graduated from John Adams High School with its very first graduating class. He served in the Air Force toward the end of World War II, and was fortunate not to have seen any combat. Bob retired from the old Indiana Bell in 1986. He spent many years bowling in leagues at Parkway Lanes and Chippewa Bowl. He loved to golf and was a card player to be reckoned with, tossing the deck of cards in the air more than once. To say he played to win is an understatement. For those who knew him, there was no greater pleasure than beating Bob, at anything. He still played a mean game of Cribbage with his great friend Jay, and watching them travel around the board was worth the price of admission. His hopes rose and fell with his beloved Cubs, and we heard more than once that there was always next year.
Our dad and husband was a kind, honest man of integrity. If as kids we had known just how tender-hearted he was, we would have run him ragged. That tender-heartedness extended to everyone as well as his beloved pets and all of Earth's creatures. Dad's quick wit and sense of humor were unsurpassed. Even in illness, he never missed a chance to crack a joke or tease those around him. We will miss him terribly; no one will ever take his place. Godspeed, dear man, on this final journey.
Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 19, in the Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave, South Bend. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, in the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, Ind.
Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County, 2506 Grape Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545.
05/26/2021 DEC
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