Robert Hanger Shumate

Robert was born in Toms Brook, VA, to Alfred and Ellen (Burkholder) Shumate on October 27, 1935. He spent his early years in Waynesboro and Staunton. The family moved to Wytheville in 1946, where he met his future wife, Mildred Cole. They were married on March 21st, 1958.

Robert graduated from Virginia Tech – VPI, as he called it – with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He began his career with RCA in Camden, NJ, before accepting a position with General Electric in Lynchburg in 1960. In 1973, his position was transferred to Waynesboro. He continued working for GE and Genicom until his retirement at age 70. He worked in engineering, marketing, and product support. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church.

Robert Shumate is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred (1997) and Ellen (2000), and by Mildred in 2011.

Robert Shumate is survived by his three children, Karen (Stephen), David (Linda), and Stephen (Maggie), his brother, Joe, and his sister, Kathleen. He took great pride in his twelve grandchildren and his nineteen great-grandchildren, keeping a year-round display of Christmas stockings for each.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 618 W. Main St., Waynesboro.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 500 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Thornrose Cemetery, 1041 W. Beverly St., Staunton.

Memorials may be given to Grace Lutheran or Augusta Health Hospice.

The family of Robert Shumate wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Grace Lutheran and Brookdale Senior Living in Staunton.

Arrangements entrusted to Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes of Waynesboro.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com