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- [S927] Obituary.
OBITUARY: C. Robert Shoop (1935-2003)
Dedicated natural historian, herpetologist, and a good friend to many of us, Bob Shoop died on 7 November 2003 of a stroke he suffered earlier that week. As with all people with rich personalities and many achievements, it is difficult to recall Bob's life in a few short paragraphs. He touched many of us - colleagues, students, and friends alike, and will always be remembered for his wit, creativity, and unflinching curiosity about the natural world and the life contained within it.
Bob received his Ph.D. from Tulane University in 1963, and followed his graduate school education with herpetological studies at Oak Ridge. He quickly became an expert on the natural history of amphibians, uncovering many secrets of these elusive creatures. His herpetological interests also drove him to explore the life of reptiles, and to many in the sea turtle arena he came to be viewed as a guru, with broad knowledge and interest in marine turtle ecology and conservation.
Bob's teaching career spawned many productive students, who remember him fondly for his eternal sense of humor and pursuit of good fun. His first extended teaching stint was at Wellesley College in the 1960s, where he was able to make the sometimes far too serious and self-absorbed Wellesley women (T.A. being one such alum!) realize that the best way to learn is to enjoy oneself and let one's own curiosity create a thirst for knowledge.
Shoop left Wellesley after 7 years to join University of Rhode Island's Zoology Department faculty. During 20 odd years at URI, he taught both undergraduate and graduate courses, and served as major professor or committee member to almost seventy masters and doctoral students. Many of those students continue to work as scientists or conservationists, and indeed many are pivotal figures in the struggle to save sea turtles from extinction. To many in the URI community, Shoop was a central social and intellectual figure, working with colleagues to organize diverse seminars, and hosting the now infamous Shoop sessions on Friday afternoons that Bob held regularly, in order to taste mystery meat (usually road kill, but sometimes worse), meet with fellow naturalists and students, and hear of new discoveries.
A few years ago, Bob left URI to go into semi-retirement on Cumberland Island, off the coast of Georgia. With long time partner and fellow naturalist Carol Ruckdeschel, Shoop continued to explore his environs, uncovering new facts about the life histories of resident species, and further building his and our knowledge of, and respect for, the natural world.
A celebration of Bob Shoop's life was held at Plum Orchard mansion on Cumberland Island on 15 November 2003, with another at URI on December 18, in the tradition of the Shoop Sessions. To permanently recognize the contributions of Bob to science, URI is commissioning a bronze plaque in his memory that will be prominently displayed at the URI Alton Jones Campus. This Campus includes a protected research area where Bob did much of his pioneering work on amphibian movements and population dynamics. In keeping with Shoop's fine philosophy of life, these events are not intended to promote mourning, but rather celebrate a life exceedingly well lived.
- [S926] Find-A-Grave, (www.findagrave.com).
Clarence Robert ?Bob? Shoop
Birth: 12 Aug 1935 Cook County, Illinois, USA
Death: 7 Nov 2003 (aged 68) Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, USA
Burial: Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend
Memorial #: 133092796
Bio: Age: 68 yrs.S/O Clarence K. Shoop & Elladean K. ShoopH/O (1) Joyce M. (Marchek) Shoop; m 3 Aug 1957, Cook County, Illinois, USA; divH/O (2) Carol Anne (Ruckdeschel) Kemph Wharton Shoop; m Summer 1992Last Residence: Saint Marys, Camden County, Georgia 31558, USA [SSDI]The third husband of noted naturalist Carol Ruckdeschel. Although their marriage was not formalized until 1992, they were partners for 25 years. Together they became two of the world's most renowned sea turtle biologists, publishing dozens of studies and two books on the subject. They spoke at symposiums and presented papers to policy makers. They were active in moving the government to fulfill its obligation to protect sea turtles and other endangered species.Death Notice, Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, FL), 16 Nov 2003:SHOOP - Clarence R., 68, passed away November 7, 2003. Eternity Funeral Home.Obituary, Marine Turtle Newsletter 102:21-11, by Tundi Agardy & Keith T. Killingbeck:Dedicated natural historian, herpetologist, and a good friend to many of us, Bob Shoop died on 7 November 2003 of a stroke he suffered earlier that week. As with all people with rich personalities and many achievements, it is difficult to recall Bob's life in a few short paragraphs. He touched many of us - colleagues, students, and friends alike, and will always be remembered for his wit, creativity, and unflinching curiosity about the natural world and the life contained within it.Bob received his Ph.D. from Tulane University in 1963, and followed his graduate school education with herpetological studies at Oak Ridge. He quickly became an expert on the natural history of amphibians, uncovering many secrets of these elusive creatures. His herpetological interests also drove him to explore the life of reptiles, and to many in the sea turtle arena he came to be viewed as a guru, with broad knowledge and interest in marine turtle ecology and conservation.Bob's teaching career spawned many productive students, who remember him fondly for his eternal sense of humor and pursuit of good fun. His first extended teaching stint was at Wellesley College in the 1960s, where he was able to make the sometimes far too serious and self-absorbed Wellesley women (T.A. being one such alum!) realize that the best way to learn is to enjoy oneself and let one's own curiosity create a thirst for knowledge.Shoop left Wellesley after 7 years to join University of Rhode Island's Zoology Department faculty. During 20 odd years at URI, he taught both undergraduate and graduate courses, and served as major professor or committee member to almost seventy masters and doctoral students. Many of those students continue to work as scientists or conservationists, and indeed many are pivotal figures in the struggle to save sea turtles from extinction. To many in the URI community, Shoop was a central social and intellectual figure, working with colleagues to organize diverse seminars, and hosting the now infamous Shoop sessions on Friday afternoons that Bob held regularly, in order to taste mystery meat (usually road kill, but sometimes worse), meet with fellow naturalists and students, and hear of new discoveries.A few years ago, Bob left URI to go into semi-retirement on Cumberland Island, off the coast of Georgia. With long time partner and fellow naturalist Carol Ruckdeschel, Shoop continued to explore his environs, uncovering new facts about the life histories of resident species, and further building his and our knowledge of, and respect for, the natural world.A celebration of Bob Shoop's life was held at Plum Orchard mansion on Cumberland Island on 15 November 2003, with another at URI on December 18, in the tradition of the Shoop Sessions. To permanently recognize the contributions of Bob to science, URI is commissioning a bronze plaque in his memory that will be prominently displayed at the URI Alton Jones Campus. This Campus includes a protected research area where Bob did much of his pioneering work on amphibian movements and population dynamics. In keeping with Shoop's fine philosophy of life, these events are not intended to promote mourning, but rather celebrate a life exceedingly well lived.
Inscription: (Memorial Plaque, University of Rhode Island)C. ROBERT SHOOP1935 ? 2003HERPETOLOGIST AND ECOLOGISTPAR EXCELLENCE, BOB SHOOP WASKNOWN AND RESPECTED FOR HISPIONEERING WORK ON AMPHIBIANPOPULATION DYNAMICSCONDUCTED HERE AT THEURI W. ALTON JONES CAMPUS.WITH A JOIE-DE-VIVRE BEYONDTHE USUAL ALLOTMENT, BOBINSTALLED IN STUDENTS AND COLLEAGUES ALIKE AN ENTHUSIASMAND RESPECT FOR THE NATURALWORLD. HIS GIFT TO US ALL WAS HISLEGACY OF GOOD TEACHING,GOOD SCIENCE, AND GOOD HUMOR.
Created by: Earl Abbe (46843447)
Added: 20 Jul 2014
URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133092796/clarence-robert-shoop
Citation: Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 September 2018), memorial page for Clarence Robert ?Bob? Shoop (12 Aug 1935?7 Nov 2003), Find A Grave Memorial no. 133092796, ; Maintained by Earl Abbe (contributor 46843447) Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend.
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1935 - 2003 (68 years)