Robert Franklin Shell

Robert Franklin Shell, loving son, brother, boyfriend, uncle, friend, and dog dad passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, April 24, 2021. He was preceded by his two grandfathers Tracy E. Hobson, and Doyle Glenn Shell, and survived by his parents Donald F. and Tracy A. Shell, his brother Micheal Glenn Shell, his significant other Lauren Paganella, his grandmothers Mary Lee Shell, Earlene Hobson, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

While attending Seffner Christian Academy, in 2014, he became the captain of his football team. After high school, he attended Hillsborough community college and graduated with the student excellence award. In 2018 he attended the University of South Florida where he again graduated Magna cum Lauda, with a Bachelors in science, while working to pay his way through school. After graduating from USF he performed research under Dr. Garbuzova-Davis. He would go on to be published twice in prominent research journals on the topic of ALS. On October 22, 2020, Robert’s dream came true and he was admitted to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He was ecstatic to serve his community and country. Robert passed at his happiest, as he had finally accomplished his dream. That is how we will choose to remember him, accomplished and proud.