Robert Allen Shippentower

Robert “Bob” Shippentower

Robert “Bob” Shippentower passed away peacefully at Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hermiston, Oregon on February 2, 2025. He was born in Bishop, California on May 31, 1946 to Alex and Blanche Shippentower. He grew up in Pendleton, Oregon, and Bishop, California with his siblings John, Rosenda, and William. He was a proud graduate of Pendleton High School where he played varsity basketball, and varsity baseball and was a recreational boxer. In May of 1967 Bob was drafted in the U.S. Army. He was a sergeant and was honorably discharged in May 1973. His decorations and awards were sharpshooter and expert in rifle, marksman, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, Army Commendation Medal, and Purple Heart with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster.

After his life in the military, Bob raised his son Richmond “Joe” Joseph Shippentower in Pendleton, Eugene, and Bishop.

He attended Blue Mountain Community College, Eastern Oregon University, and Haskell Indian Nations University, eventually graduating from the University of Oregon. He worked as a social worker for several years and eventually attended graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley.

Bob had many jobs throughout his life: pitched peas, drove farm trucks, social worker, cashier, laborer, and front desk. In 1998 he was elected as the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) General Council Chairman and a Board Member at Large. He served many years on the CTUIR Health Commission and other committees and commissions throughout his lifetime. He was a natural-born leader, with a grassroots way of leading that made him enjoy working on policies that impacted his fellow tribal members. Bob was an advocate for accountability and transparency in leadership. Throughout his life, he believed in, and practiced, the power of asking tough questions, challenging the status quo, and demanding truth from those in positions of power. Bob was committed to integrity and he was a truth seeker. When he had his clipboard with him you knew he was working on something. He never hesitated to speak up when something didn’t seem right, using his voice and his words, Bob often wrote Letters to the Editor in the Confederated Umatilla Journal (CUJ) and, on occasion to the East Oregonian, to raise awareness, and challenge leadership, and demand transparency.

Bob also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and his great-grandson in California, Oregon, and Idaho. He enjoyed taking road trips, and backyard barbeques. He also played in tribal basketball tournaments throughout Indian Country. He enjoyed running and jogging. He was a big supporter of the Yellowhawk Fun Run. He liked to watch local high school sports basketball and baseball. He was a huge Oregon Ducks fan as an alumni and enjoyed watching games.

Bob is survived by his wife Beverly Penney, son, Jerrid (Brandie) Weaskus, grandchildren Anthony, Darren, and Marella Shippentower, Philip, Natasha, Asia, Victoria, Mahalie, and Wahlitits Weaskus. Great-Grandson Anthony Joseph “AJ” Shippentower. He was survived by his sister Rosenda and niece Carmen James. He was survived by his many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grand-nephews.

Preceded by his parents Alex and Blanche Shippentower, his brothers John and William Shippentower, his son Richmond “Joe” Joseph Shippentower, nephews Allen and Jerry Spencer, and grand-nephew Jerry Spencer.