Robert E. Shirar

During his Marion, Indiana High School years he was active in varsity track, basketball and football. Red graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Throughout his college years, he played fullback on the varsity football team and participated on the track and field team. Upon graduating from Ball State, Red was asked to try out for two National Football League teams – the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals. Red served in the U.S. Army 7th Division at Ft. Benning, GA.

After completing a Master’s in Arts degree in Education Administration at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, he coached numerous sports and taught in various towns throughout FL. Red & his wife Marylou came to Jupiter, FL in 1963. After serving as the 4th football coach at Jupiter High School, he taught social studies and became Assistant Principal at Jupiter Middle School. During summer vacations he taught swimming and Red Cross lifesaving to many area youth. He retired in 1992 after serving 38 years in the education profession.

Red was an avid boater and member of the Palm Beach Sailing Club. He loved being on the water and racing his beloved sailboat “Sher-Tam.” The boat was traded for a motor home and RV trips were taken in 49 states, Mexico and all Canadian Provinces. For 6 years, Red and Marylou served as Assistant State Directors for the Florida Good Sam Club and were members of the local Good Sam chapter.

Red became a docent at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. He shared local history as he and visitors climbed 105 steps to the top of lighthouse. He was a charter member of the Docent Organization and served on the Loxahatchee Historical Society board of directors. In 2008, Red was the recipient of the Bessie Du Bois Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum and the preservation of its heritage.

Mr. Shirar is survived by his beloved daughters and sons-in–law; Sherri Hilliard (Peter) of Far Hills NJ, Tammi Friskney (Randy), and his cherished grandsons Joshua Shirar Friskney and Ethan Robert Friskney of Tampa, FL.

Red was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Marylou (Waymire) Shirar; parents, Roscoe and Mamie (Davis) Shirar and sister, Carol (Shirar) David.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, May 23, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. https://www.jupiterlighthouse.org/join-give/donate/