“I’m a Child of a King”,
The Child of a King
With Jesus, my Savior,
I’m a Child of a King!
Rev. Robert F. Shippee, age 87, who died at South Shore Hospital after two strokes, Wednesday September 29th, was writing a book with the working title from the Gospel hymn “I’m a Child of a King”. He was including stories of his personal life – born in Putman, CT on November 29, 1922, son of Mary E. (Burnett) and Roy F. Shippee; growing up as a farm boy in East Killingly, CT; summer vacations with the family of special cousin Betty Burnett at Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg (Webster Lake!); after high school, recruited in the hayfield for employment by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company; his 3196th Signal Corps experiences in World War II, his courting and marriage to Ruth Betty Hutchinson; studies at the University of Connecticut and Yale Divinity School, graduating in 1955 with a Master’s Degree in Divinity; and his Ordination that same year as a minister of the United Methodist Church.
Rev. Mr. Shippee was a socially-concerned pastor, serving churches in East Glastonbury and Uncasville, CT, associate pastor at Mattheson Street UMC, Providence, RI; appointed to Memorial UM Church, Plymouth, MA from 1957 – 1961, where one year, 40 new members were received; and First UM Church, E. Weymouth, MA from 1961-1966. He moved to Western NY Conference in 1967 for pastorates in Avon, NY for 10 ½ years at First UM Church, Niagara Falls, and finally, Faith United Methodist Church, Lancaster, NY. In 1971, the family was part of a year’s exchange ministry with English Methodism. The children were stimulated by the English school system. Robert had charge of 4 chapels in the Midlands, and the English pastor came to serve the one church in Avon. Robert retired in 1986 and the family moved back to Plymouth, where Miss Grace Haigh had left her beloved pastor and family her home. Mrs. Shippee says, “I married a traveling man who introduced the family to many parts of the world. We camped across the country, and were part of 3 tour groups planned by Robert in England and Scotland. The two of us traveled, favorite destinations being China, Hungary, Switzerland, the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, in 2000, and many times to France where we picked up our Citroen cars in Paris for touring and shipping home. One year he planned a ‘sentimental journey’ of places, particularly in Italy, where he had served in the War. As soon as Robert explained why we were there, we were greeted with great excitement everywhere.”
“The Plymouth retirement home, Hawthorne Hill Bed and Breakfast, was a ‘second ministry’ for 10 years, welcoming tourists from around the world, and in some cases visiting our guests later in their home countries.”
Family was important, with 6 children sharing the parsonage life. Carol (Manuel) first born, Rochester, NY; Laurie Greenberg, Fayetteville, NY; Elizabeth Shippee, Plymouth, MA; Mary (Mack), Phoenix, AR; Robert Charles Shippee, Richmond, VA; and youngest, Martha Melody (Cousins), Avon, NY. Rev. Mr. Shippee saw all 6 of his children before going to Heaven, smiling with the JOY of it. He also leaves 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. One granddaughter, Bonnie Greenberg, predeceased him in 2005.
Robert was a faithful member of the Plymouth Rotary Club until Alzheimer’s made it hard to participate. For a time, he was Rotary’s liaison with sponsored Boy Scout Troop 1620. He was honored by the Club for his leadership and love in 1996, and given a commendation award by Troop 1620 and the Old Colony Council in 2000. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Plymouth Rotary, an honor given for service in the name of the founder of world-wide Rotary.
The Plymouth United Methodist Church, 29 Carver Rd, was his retirement church connection, where the service of “Celebration of the Life of Rev. Robert F. Shippee” is planned for Sunday, October 10th at 5:00 PM, followed by food and fellowship. Gifts in memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Dr, P.O Box 1950, Clarksburg, MD 20871-1950; or US Fund for UNICEF, 125 Maiden Lane Fl 11, New York, NY 10273-0848. Mrs. Shippee says: “Robert and I have supported both organizations monthly for several years, especially for the Children!” GOD’S WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE ROBERT WAS IN IT FOR A WHILE!
THANK YOU for caring about our family, especially my soul-mate, Robert, who made married life memorable for 64 years! Praise God for his life! He is a “Child of the King”!