Robert Earl Shank Jr.'s Obituary
Robert Earl Shank Jr, 72, quietly departed this life on Monday, January 30, 2017, at St. Mary’s Hospital, to meet up with His Heavenly Father.
“Bob” was born October 14, 1944 in Mason, West “By God” Virginia, he would tell you, to Robert and Allegra (Fadely) Shank Sr. He graduated from Chicopee High School in Chicopee, Massachusetts in 1963, where he excelled on the High School Swim Team all 4 years. He went on to pursue his education at the University of Arizona in the engineering field.
After an 8 year stint with United Airlines in Los Angeles, Bob returned to Tucson and worked at Hughes Aircraft, which later became Raytheon Missile Systems, as a Sr. Information Systems Analyst, where he finally retired in 2006. Many things captivated him and if he could have, he would have “done it all”. Bob was an avid fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the U of A Wildcats. He taught birding classes and led excursions for Tucson Parks & Recreation. He also documented annual bird counts for the Tucson Audubon Society for several years. He was a member of the Harley Owners Group, the Remote Control Flyers Club, and the Raytheon R-Team Motorcycle Club. He also served on the Board of Directors for the B-26 Marauder Historical Society, which held a special place in his heart as the son of a B-26 pilot during World War II. His passion for researching and documenting information on the B-26 Marauder, WWII POW camps, and WWII Veteran’s Cemeteries overseas culminated in many friendships abroad in the Netherlands and Italy.
On October 27, 2006, he married Sandra (Olszanowski) Baracani, the love of his life. She survives, along with two stepsons and their spouses, Michael (Jenny) Baracani of Oglesby, IL and Robert (Nicole) Baracani of Spring Valley, IL; three step grandchildren, Bella, Gianni, and Maxwell Baracani; one sister and three brothers and their spouses, Alex (Ernie) Garcia of Sierra Vista, AZ, Tom (Lorri) Shank of Parker, CO, Wayne (Cheri) Shank of Tucson, AZ, and Jan (Dawn) Shank of Phoenix, AZ, several aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and his beloved canine companion, Josie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lowell Shank, and his step granddaughter, Mia Baracani.
His beautiful life will forever be cherished in the family he loved along with the friendships he built throughout the years. His Christian life was a testament to the many he loved.
Cremation has been accorded. There will be a private family service at a later date.
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