Robert Eugene Shiflet

Robert Eugene Shiflet, age 89, affectionately known as “Skillet” by his co-workers, Bob by his friends and Paw-Paw by his four grandchildren passed peacefully on April 10th at 11:05 am. Bob was born on August 22, 1934, in Boone, Iowa on his mother’s birthday. He moved to Mid-County when he was 12 years old. He was very disappointed when he arrived in Texas because he expected to see cowboys and Indians. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1952.

Bob took a job at Weingarten’s grocery store in Beaumont, TX. He was at the Southeast Texas State Fair when a beautiful young lady, Linda Jean Moseley, caught his eye. At the time he did not realize that she also worked at Weingarten’s on a different shift. He found her schedule and started visiting her frequently. They were married two years later and so the story begins.

He proudly served in the United States Army in the US Army Reserves as an infantryman. He was called to active duty, and they were stationed in Germany after the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged and could always be seen proudly wearing his Veteran hat everywhere he went. During their time in Germany, they traveled all over Europe, and this is where their love for travel began. They traveled well and often all over the United States and Disney World became one of their favorite destinations.

Upon returning from his service to our country, they returned to Beaumont and started their family with two daughters, Melanie and Kimberlee. He joined the Beaumont Police department in 1963 and proudly served his community. Bob wore many hats during his service to Beaumont Police Department (BPD) and began as a traffic motorcycle cop for many years, he loved this job as he was fond of motorcycles. He was an Officer and Detective Sergeant. He worked on the Crime Prevention Unit and traveled to different states teaching classes about Crime Prevention. He was also an artist and designed logos for the police cars and special event tee shirts. He had 32 years of continuous service at the YMBL State Fair. He became well known and loved by the Bill Thames show owners, which presented him with several plaques for his service during that time. The fair became a favorite for his two daughters as they enjoyed all the benefits of his labors! His loving wife, Linda, served as President of the Police Wives Club. She worked the Police Wives booth at the fair selling homemade desserts, while their daughters ran around the fair grounds having the time of their lives. Bob would use the extra money from this work to take his family on a summer vacation every year. He was always thinking of ways to bless his family. He was a selfless man and now he is reaping all the rewards in Heaven for his hard work!

Besides all his endeavors, Bob had many hobbies. He was a jack of all trades. There was nothing he could not fix, from carpentry work or rebuilding car engines. He was also an avid coin collector. He has a plethora of coins that would put the US Mint to shame. He also collected knives and of course, guns! Bob was a devoted family man that loved the Lord and attended church regularly until he was not able. His dedication to his family and marriage was truly a vocation for him. He adored his wife and unselfishly cared for her for 20 years. He said to care for her during her time of need was his greatest honor. He was a real man of God and honored her with a love until her last breath. His daughters not only saw but felt his love for their mother and came to realize that this kind of love is what constitutes a “real man” above all else. He was selfless and self-sacrificing in their eyes. He put his family’s needs above himself. When Bob lost the love of his life 2 ½ years ago, his daughters set out to give him the same loving care that he gave their mother. He lived with both of them which they jokingly referred to as joint custody. They treated him like a King. Mission accomplished!

Finally, Bob and Linda were both devoted grandparents to their four grandchildren and adored them immensely. There could literally be a book written about this chapter in their lives alone. They led a rich life, not in the ways of this world, but in love, life, and relationships.

Bob was preceded in death by his bride, Linda Shiflet, mother, Madeline Shiflet, his adopted father, Clarence Shiflet and his devoted grandparents Robert J. McCord and Vera McCord. He is survived by his brother Dean Shiflet of Nederland. His daughters, Melanie Bleuel of Beaumont, Kimberlee Bryant and her husband, Barry Bryant of Beaumont, along with his grandchildren, Michael Bleuel, Katie Laura Bryant, Kyler Bryant and Koby Bryant.

Visitation and a meal will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday April 15, 2024, with funeral service to follow at 2:00 pm at Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Graveside service to follow, which will include military and police honors.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a contribution to the Beaumont Police Benefit Association PO Box 22722 Beaumont, TX 77720.