 1923 - 2006 (83 years)
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| Name |
Robert Henry Shannon |
| Born |
13 Mar 1923 |
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
3 May 2006 |
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
| Person ID |
I03547 |
Family Tree |
| Last Modified |
14 Sep 2021 |
| Family |
Adrienne Anne White, b. 7 Jul 1924, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada , d. Apr 2006 (Age 81 years) |
| Married |
24 Dec 1950 |
Montréal, Québec, Canada |
| Children |
|
| Last Modified |
14 Sep 2021 |
| Family ID |
F1216 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Notes |
- SHANNON, Robert Henry 1923 2006
It's hard to believe that one man could solve a problem that has stymied billion-dollar corporations for decades, but Robert Shannon seems to have done just that." Canadian Business, April 1988. Described as an alchemist, a modern-day magician, for the process he developed to extract clean oil from coal, however, Robert, like many great people, had humble beginnings. He was a native of Medicine Hat, Alberta. As a teenager, he volunteered for service in the Royal Canadian Navy serving from 1941 until 1945 attaining the rank of Lieutenant. All who were close to him know that serving his country was the proudest time of his life. With a Business Administration degree from the University of Western Ontario and at an age when most people retire, he worked as a lonely researcher in the basement of his Toronto home and discovered how to obtain refined coal products by combining low-grade hydrocarbons, coal and bitumen in an economical way. At age 65, he was recognized by the US Department of Energy beginning a new stage in his life by becoming the owner of Ontario-Ohio Synthetic Fuels Corp., travelling to most parts of the world. Just weeks before his death, he was asked for advice as he continued to be well known as an inventor of note. In the International Statesmen's Who's Who" 1972, he appeared as the Canadian Manager of Chemical Products, Ethyl Corp.; Exec. Vice-Pres. Viceroy Manufacturing Co. Ltd.; Warden of the County of Halton; Reeve of the town of Burlington, and as Governor and Chairman of Finance at the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital. Robert was the Energy Advisor to Prime Minister Trudeau for a number of years. Father of a child with learning difficulties, he put all his efforts into creating, in 1966, what became known as the Commission on Emotional and Learning Disorders in Children, sponsored by the Canadian Association for the Mentally Retarded; the Council on Children & Youth; the Education Association; Mental Health Association; the Council for Disabled and the Canadian Welfare Council as well as Dr. Barnardo's, a Christian organization based in the United Kingdom, obtaining financial support for a three-year nation-wide study involving 400 professionals in several disciplines. The result was the publication of One Million Children", the most complete report at that time on children suffering emotional and learning disorders. He was a recipient of the C. Douglas Taylor Award for devoted service to the Cause of the Crippled Child from the Canadian Rehabilitation Council for the Disabled. A man with a fine spirit, in his 70's, he joined the Art Gallery of Ontario, taking lessons on art and traveling with a Gallery group, rediscovering the magnificence of the art he used to admire in his art-book collection and making his own films as sources of great and beautiful experiences which he generously liked to share. In the summer of 2003, he moved to Victoria enjoying what he used to describe as some of the best times of his life. A devoted lover of nature, an endless student and tireless reader, he lived a simple life, gaining the appreciation of his new friends and neighbours who used to see him almost everyday walking along the path, close to the sea, always aware of the beauty of his country which he loved as much as he loved life. He passed away on May 3 at Victoria General Hospital where he received a high quality of professional help accompanied by respect and compassion. His family members are grateful to the doctors and nurses. Robert was predeceased by his wife Adrienne Ann Shannon, and was survived by his beloved Mercedes, his daughters Adrienne White, Pamela Ann and Lisa Lynn, and his sisters Lillian Crosson and Eleanor (Bill) Murphy. At his request, there was no funeral service and his ashes will be scattered on the sea.
-- Published in The Times Colonist from May 20 to May 21, 2006.
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