Citadel Alumni Obituaries

Robert Joseph Shahid Sr., a resident of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., for 52
years, passed away after a courageous battle of four years with cancer
on Sept. 7, 2008, at home with his loving family. Mr. Shahid was born on
June 2, 1929, in Charleston, S.C., and was raised in Timmonsville, S.C.,
during his primary school years. He attended the Citadel and graduated
in 1950, with a B.S. degree in business. Upon leaving the Citadel, Mr.
Shahid served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force for two years. After
leaving the Air Force, he came to Destin and Fort Walton Beach to visit
his brother, Ernest and family. Mr. Shahid loved the area and made it
his home. He opened Sir Robert’s Restaurant, which he ran for many
years. In 1961, Mr. Shahid met and married his loving wife, Billie, who
was just out of Auburn on her first teaching job in Fort Walton Beach.
After leaving the restaurant, Mr. Shahid attended Southeastern Louisiana
University and received his master’s degree. He then worked for the
Okaloosa County school system as Superintendent of Transportation and
remained there until he retired in 1991. Upon retirement, he ran the
family candy business, La Bonboniere, at Shoreline Village Mall in
Destin until his illness in November 2004. Robert was an avid sports
fan. He especially loved football, which he played in high school and at
the Citadel. He also loved fishing, which he enjoyed with his brother
“”Shag”" and his close and loyal friend, Phil Brogden. Mr. Shahid
started the Little League baseball program in Fort Walton Beach. He was
always very interested and active in politics and participated in many
rallies for his favorite candidates. Mr. Shahid was preceded in death by
his parents, Wadere Simon and Marie Kalil Shahid, who instilled in him
Christian values, loyalty and love of family. Robert is survived by his
wife, Billie, of 46 years; two sons, Robert Joseph Jr. and Michael
Shawn; brothers, Ernest and wife Margaret Shahid, and Wadere “”Shag”"
and wife Lola Shahid; sister, Agnes M. Shahid; as well as many nieces,
nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, family and friends. Robert
loved his God, country and family. He never met a stranger and was
always generous and ready to give a helping hand. Visitation will be at
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach,
on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a recitation of the
rosary at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St.
Mary Catholic Church, 110 St. Mary Ave., Fort Walton Beach, on Thursday,
Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. with Monsignor Slade Crawford officiating. Burial
will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery. The family wishes to extend
special thanks to Robert’s oncologist, Dr. Shaily Lakhanpal of
Birmingham, Ala., and to Ronnie Clay and Phil Brogden, his close and
loyal friends who visited him regularly and supported him during his
four years of illness. Flowers are welcome, or memorials in his name may
be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Tags: 1950