Robert H. Shennum

Robert H. Shennum, age 82, died on Monday Jan. 17, 2005 in Bigfork. He was born near Scobey, Mont. on a farm on April 12, 1922 to Joseph M. and Nellie Mae (Robinson) Shennum.

He moved to Ronan with his family during his high school years. He and wife, Doris L. Shennum, returned to the Flathead valley upon retirement in 1985, after a 31-year career as a director and research scientist with the Bell System.

During the past 20 years in Bigfork, Bob enjoyed Bible study with the United Methodist Church of Bigfork, building and fixing just about anything, reading "Master and Commander" novels, driving around Flathead Lake, playing with his children and grandchildren and watching TV. During his career, he led the design and launch of the first experimental communications satellites: Telstar I and II. During his retirement, he enjoyed watching TV beamed from these same two satellites, which are still a commercial success and still in service today.

In 1944, Bob received a BS in electrical engineering from Montana State University in Bozeman then, like many of his age, served our country in World War II. Bob received a US Army Citation for management of the Bremen radio teletype station in 1946 as a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Signal Corp. After the war, he returned to civilian life and married his college sweetheart, Doris L. Postlewait on March 16, 1947 in Kevin, Mont.

Bob continued his lifelong focus on science, earning a Masters in electrical engineering from Montana State University in Bozeman and a PhD in physics and electrical engineering from the prestigious California Institute of Technology in Pasadena in 1954. With his new degree and their first daughter only days old, Bob and Doris drove across the United States to his new position at Bell Labs in New Jersey, where Bob directed research labs for the next 31 years.

In 1963, after the successful launch of two Telstar satellites, Bob was recognized as a celebrity in Montana and across the country. He was awarded a Doctorate in Engineering from Montana State University, Bozeman and appeared as a guest on the popular quiz show, "What's My Line?"

During the 1960s and 1970s Bob was tapped to lead Bell Labs research units for Microwave Radio Design, Mathematical Analysis and Digital Systems Design. He managed development of SAFEGUARD missile systems and a lab to research and develop new sources of power. In 1974, he was again recognized for service to the United States and received the US Army Citation for Patriotic Civilian Service for his contribution to the SAFEGUARD ABM missile systems. During his career Bob published many articles on power and space communications and received a patent for his work during this period.

Bob was an IEEE Fellow and served in many distinguished roles with this organization. He was a member of the NJ Executive Committee, Chairman of the NC Section, Member Intelec Advisory Committee and Session Chairman for Intelec in Washington, DC for several years. He was a member of the research society: Sigma Xi, and honor societies: Tau Beta Pi and Phi Kappa Phi

Bob is predeceased by his father, Joseph M. Shennum; his mother, Nellie Mae Robinson Shennum and most recently by his brother, John L. Shennum of Circle, Mont.

He is survived by is wife, Doris L. Shennum of Bigfork; his sister, Norma Davenport who lives in Helena with her husband Robert and family. Bob and Doris have three children: a daughter, Sharon Vonk who lives in Carlsbad, Calif. with her husband Harry Vonk and daughter Elaine Garvey; a son, Keith Shennum who lives in Columbia Falls with his wife Judy Shennum; and a second daughter, Marsha Burns who lives in Salem, NH with her husband David and children Courtney, Brittany and Colby.

Funeral services for Robert Herman Shennum were held Friday, Jan. 21, 2005 at 1:30 p.m., at the United Methodist Church of Bigfork with Pastor Jan Witman officiating. Burial was at the Swan View Memorial Gardens Bigfork Community Cemetery in Bigfork.

Please contribute to a charity of your choice in memory of Robert H. Shennum.

Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary & Crematory.