Robert L. Shoda

Throughout his rich and rewarding life, Robert Shoda was a man of purpose with a strong work ethic and a love for life that was contagious to all who were near. He was a lifelong resident of the community he loved, and with his warm and genuine personality he was the sort of person everyone seemed to know. Bob was blessed to share most of his life with his true love, and together they witnessed their family tree blossom to include the grandchildren and great-grandchildren he adored. Life will never be the same without him here, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

The 1930s were primarily defined by the harsh realities of the Great Depression. The crash of the stock market in 1929 sent the unemployment rate soaring, and things only became more dire when a drought covered our nations heartland for nearly two years during this time. Despite the trials around them, Robert Lewis and Rowena (Wolfe) Shoda were pleased to announce the birth of the baby boy they named Robert Lesco on February 14, 1938, in Whitley County, Indiana. He was the younger of two Shoda boys as he was raised in the family home alongside his brother, Ronald. Bob was raised in the Lutheran faith and had attended Grace Lutheran Church in Columbia City.

In many ways Bob was a young boy of his generation. He was an active boy who had plenty of farm chores and working in the hay fields before they had bailing equipment. Bob still had time to enjoy hanging out with friends, riding bikes, and playing basketball. The work ethic he leaned while growing up remained with him for the rest of his life. By the age of 12, Bob got a part-time job setting pins before it was done by machines at the local bowling alley. He walked into town for work and then home at night after the end of his shift. As a student, Bob attended Coesse High School and was one of 13 kids in his class. He played basketball for the high school and was a starter all four years. In addition to holding down his studies, Bob worked at Thomsons Whitley County Motor Sales . He went on to graduate in 1957. He took some college classes and also served in the National Guard before being medically discharged.

Not to be forgotten during this time was Bobs introduction to the woman of his dreams. Her name was Vicky Leach, and they also met in 1957. Sparks flew right away, and it wasnt long before the couple found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Bob and Vicky were married on January 5, 1958, in Lagrange. A year later, the couple was delighted to welcome their son, Robert, into their hearts and home. Robert was later followed by Eric Todd, Charles, and Kristy. After being married for a few years, Bob moved back to his familys farm property where he built the house they currently live in.

To support his family, Bob worked tirelessly. In fact, it was so important to him that his family was provided for that he went without lunch for an entire week once so that he could save enough to pay for shoes for one of his children. Bob spent his entire career working as a quality control engineer at Dana in Fort Wayne. Dana sent him worldwide doing jobs and to solve production problems. He once worked in Venezuela, and for three years he, Vicky, and their 13-year-old daughter, Kristy, moved to Taiwan for a job. Bob also spent a short time working in Austria. They moved back to the farmland in time for Kristy to finish up her high school education. After more than 37 years, Bob retired in 1998. After retiring he spent time watching his grandchildren. Bobs world would change forever when his son, Chuck, was killed in a truck accident on Christmas Eve in 1978. This was the greatest loss he experienced throughout his entire life.

Over the years Bob was one to keep busy. In addition to traveling with work, he also did quite a bit of traveling just for fun. The family took vacations out to visit Bobs brother Ron who lived in Oregon, and they also took trips down to Florida. Their travels also took them abroad to places like Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Bangkok. Bob and Vicky also enjoyed an Alaskan cruise. He did some golfing, but just for the fun of it as he never took it too seriously. He did golf with the golf league through work,and at one of the tournaments he actually won with a trick shot. This earned him a funny trophy with a golfer smoking a cigar. Bob was handy and enjoyed fixing things and building birdhouses with his wife. Over the years they easily gave 200 to 300 of them away, and they also enjoyed birdwatching together.

Described as a charmer who was so generous and one of the sweetest gentleman around, Robert Shoda was a blessing to everyone he met. He had the greatest sense of humor and loved making others laugh. There was no greater gift in his life than his family, and Bob loved nothing more than being surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Deeply loved, he will never be forgotten.

Robert L. Shoda, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at his home. Bobs family includes his loving wife of 58years, Vicky Shoda; daughter, Kristy (Mike) Vodde, of Columbia City; sons, Rob (Darla) Shoda and Todd (Kelly) Shoda, both of Columbia City; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; son, Charles Chuck Lewis Shoda; brother, Ronald Shoda; and an infant grandson, Jonathan Dakota Whitehead.

Visitation is1-3:45 p.m. Saturday, December 17, 2016, with a funeral service at 4p.m.atDeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Pastor Shane Wilson of New Hope Wesleyan Church will be officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or New Hope Wesleyan Church. Visit www.demoneygrimes.comto send family condolences or sign the guest register book.