Robert Shearer

Robert Norman Shearer of Springville, Utah, passed away on May 20, 2025, at home, surrounded by his beloved family.

Robert was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe), to James Henry Shearer and Kathleen Mary Wallace. He was blessed with three younger siblings: Dennis Roy, Colleen Ann, and Jennifer Gale. The first thirteen years of his life were spent living in various parts of Central Africa, as his father worked as a mining surveyor.

In 1964, the Shearer family immigrated to the United States and settled in Eagle Mountain, California. As a young 8th grader, Robert quickly adapted to his new surroundings, making friends easily and earning the affectionate nickname “Little Eddie.” He was active on their high school student council and though small in stature, he was a fearless competitor in football and wrestling. With help from a great coach, Robert secured a wrestling scholarship to Ricks College in 1969.

While attending Ricks College, Robert learned more about the restored gospel and chose to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A few months later, he met Barbara Thomson of Magrath, Alberta, Canada. They were married in the Cardston Alberta Temple in 1972 and went on to raise five children: James, Melissa, Roxanne, Eric, and Kristina.

In 1970, Robert was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He felt there was some divine intervention, changing his orders from deployment to Vietnam to instead serving in the Army ROTC detachment at Brigham Young University. While there, Robert pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a master’s degree in Organizational Communication. Following graduation, he began his 30-year career as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.

Robert’s military service took him and his family to 12 military installations around the United States and abroad. He worked with missiles, was a B-52 Navigator-Bombardier, an Inspector General, and Assistant to the General. He especially valued his time teaching future leaders at the U.S. Air Force Academy and young officers in the Royal Australian Air Force. Robert also served one combat tour in Afghanistan in 2002. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2005.

After retiring, Robert, Barbara, and their youngest daughter, Kristina, settled in Springville, Utah, where he enjoyed a life filled with family, faith, and service to others. He continued his church service and enjoyed many callings over his lifetime, including elder’s quorum president, stake high counselor, bishop in a family ward, bishop of a BYU student ward, and working with Cub and Boy Scouts. He magnified each calling and embraced the opportunity to lift and help others.

Robert was a devoted, protective, and caring husband, father, and grandfather. He loved being with his family and especially cherished his time with his grandchildren. He found great joy in playing with them, sharing treats, asking them about their lives, finding common interests, and hearing about their growth and accomplishments.

In his spare time, Robert enjoyed reading—mostly non-fiction—watching sports, especially college football, and, in his retirement years, exploring the culinary arts. He was genuinely eager to help his family, neighbors, and friends, while finding immense satisfaction in helping others whenever he could.

In 2020, Robert was diagnosed with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and in the years that followed he also had multiple squamous cell carcinoma sites that required surgical removal. True to his character, he approached cancer with extraordinary strength, optimism, and indomitable grit. He courageously endured five years of treatments and dozens of rounds of chemotherapy. Like everything in life, Robert gave it his very best and broke a few longevity records with the help of his revered oncologist, Dr. Brandt Esplin.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, James and Kathleen; his brother, Dennis; his son-in-law, Brad Underwood; his brother-in-law, Timothy Allen Otte; his nephew, Timothy Ryan Otte; and his sister-in-law, Donna Thompson. He is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara; his children, James (Jennifer), Melissa (Russ), Roxanne (Rick), Eric (Norvina), and Kristina (Tyler); his sisters, Colleen and Jennifer (Nick); 15 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and dear friends.

Robert’s life was a legacy of generosity, selflessness, leadership, and love. He will be remembered for his genuine care, unwavering testimony, and deep commitment to his family, faith, and country.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hunter Valley Chapel, located at 950 South 1700 East, Springville, Utah. Visitations will be held Friday, May 30, 2025 at the same location from 7:00–8:00 p.m., and prior to the funeral service from 9:00–10:30 a.m.

There will also be a livestream of the service that can be accessed using this link…
Click here to watch Live Stream

The Shearer family wishes to express gratitude to the skilled medical professionals who cared for him and for all who have made blood and platelet donations. Robert benefited from numerous transfusions that extended his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a local Red Cross blood drive.

Condolences can be offered at www.springcreekmortuary.com.