Richard Shubert Shineman died on May 27th, 2010 at St. Luke Health Services.
He was born in Albany, NY on May 21st, 1924, the second son of Edward W. Shineman and Bertelle Shubert.
He attended Canajoharie High School and Deerfield Academy. Memorable boyhood summers were spent at Camp Chenango on Otsego Lake.
Following family tradition, Richard attended Cornell University for a bachelor’s degree. He was active in the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and played clarinet with the Marching Band. After graduating with a degree in Chemistry in 1946, he served in the U.S. Army. Richard earned his master’s at Syracuse University and doctorate at Ohio State where he played clarinet in the orchestra.
After teaching at Purdue, Shineman was hired by President Foster Brown in 1962 as the first chair of chemistry. He was actively involve for the next 26 years in the development of new programs, recruitment of new faculty and outstanding students, and attainment of American Chemical Society accreditation for the department. “Chemistry and Public Concernâ€, a course developed by Shineman in the late 60’s and 70’s is still being taught today. Upon his retirement in 1988, he provided a legacy of four Freshman Chemistry Scholarships to be awarded to outstanding incoming students each year.
Retirement years allowed Richard to pursue his interest in stamp collecting – his award-winning stamp exhibit of the 109 chemical elements known at the time was acknowledged in Naples, Florida, 2004, where the Shinemans spent their winters.
Richard is a life-long member of the Canajoharie Reformer Church, an associate member of the First Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida where he served as a seasonal elder for 3 years, and Faith United Church in Oswego. He is a member of the Oswego County Club, Oswego Stamp Club, and the Rotary Club. A Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, Richard served as the chair of the Foundation Committee for several years. He was one of the first Directors on the Oswego College Foundation Board.
Dr. Shineman is survived by his wife of 37 years, Barbara, step-son, Robert Palmer, daughter-in-law Floris, step-daughter, Kathy Barker, grandchildren, Megan Luton (Brian), Kevin Palmer, great grandson, Reed Luton, nephews, Tom Shineman (Jan), Alan Shineman (Genny), several nieces and nephews, cousin, Willis Barshied.
He was predeceased by a brother Edward W. Shineman Jr. in 2009.
Funeral Services will be held 10 am, Tuesday at Faith United Church, Oswego.
Burial will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Canajoharie, NY.
Calling hours will be held 2-5 pm, Monday at the Nelson Funeral Home, 11 W. Albany St., Oswego.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to Faith United Church, the Rotary Foundation Scholarship Fund or the Oswego College Foundation Shineman Scholarships.
Online condolences can be made at www.nelson-funeralhome.com
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