January 22 2020: SHELDON, Robert “Bob”

Robert “Bob” Sheldon

Robert “Bob” Sheldon died peacefully in his sleep in Takoma Park, MD on Friday, January 17^th, 2020 at the age of 68. Robert was a loving father and brother. He is survived by his son Matthew Sheldon and daughter-in-law Avery Perryman Sheldon as well as his sister Frances Sheldon and husband David Dietzen. He was preceded in death by father Richard Charles Sheldon, mother Violet Twinum, and stepmother Jane Sheldon.

Bob was born on May 11^th, 1951 in Frankfort, Germany, to Richard Charles Sheldon and Violet Twinum. He grew up in Evanston, Illinois, where he attended Evanston Township High School, and later graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Communications.  He married Martha Hoff in 1982; they divorced ten years later but remained close friends as they raised their son Matthew. Bob began working for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in 1978, serving in various roles until his retirement in 2013. Bob and Martha welcomed their son Matthew in 1986, and set about teaching him a love of the outdoors through bicycling, a zest for community service and passion for politics. Matthew remembers him as a kind, driven and involved father who encouraged him to pursue his goals.

Bob was an accomplished cyclist who sought out adventure on the saddle. He had many cycling adventures including riding across the US in 1978 and completing the Paris-Brest-Paris, a 1200 km European cycle race, in 2003. He especially loved to ride with his son Matthew in Colorado. He was an active and dedicated member of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church and was a volunteer for various organizations such as Shepherd’s Table, the Takoma Park Folk Festival, and the Takoma Foundation, where he served as a board member and spearheaded the Annual Beer Fest.  During Matthew’s school years, “Coach Bob” coached youth soccer, basketball, and baseball teams for 27 seasons, and served as Commissioner of the Youth Soccer League.

There will be a celebration of Bob’s life at 3:00 pm, Friday, January 24^th at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, Bethesda, MD,  All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to  American Tinnitus Association or  Cedar Lane Universalist Unitarian Church attention: Sanctuary for Rosa

The family would like to thank GW Medical Faculty Associates healthcare providers, and the Georgetown Tinnitus support group for their care for Bob’s health throughout the years, and the BU CTE Center, whose research will continue to help patients in their understanding of Traumatic Brain Injuries.

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