Robert “Bob” Arthur Short, 87, of Gainesville, FL passed away peacefully July 13, 2010. He was born on May 22, 1923 in Homestead, PA to Arthur Whigham and Myrtle Lelia (Mundorff) Short. Bob attended school in East McKeesport, PA. He served in the U.S. Army in WWII attending The Army School of Roentgenography connected to the Univ. of Tenn. While stationed in Memphis, Bob met his future wife, Emma Akers and they shared 65 wonderful years together.
Following his discharge from the Army, Bob was employed by the Veteran’s Administration and later by U.S. Steel. His job was to oversee the radiographic quality at the steel plant and 8 hospitals in Pittsburgh plus others in areas such as Chicago.
In 1967, after accepting a job with Santa Fe Junior College, he moved to Gainesville, FL. Bob went on to set up a dual two-year radiographic program whereby students who successfully completed their specialty program were awarded an Associate of Science degree and could then take a National Board Exam to become a Registered Radiographer or a Registered Nuclear Medicine Technologist. The college named the lab in Bob’s honor.
During his lifetime, he enjoyed his family, traveling and volunteering his time. He enjoyed many years as a member at Trinity United Methodist Church. He had a love of flowers and was involved with his wife with the Gainesville Flower Club. Due to his volunteering with them, he was made an honorary member.
In his later years he and his wife moved to The Village. He continued to stay involved in their activities including holding the office of Vice President of the Resident Council.
He is survived by his wife, Emma Akers Short; children, Joan (Tom) Walter, Janet Short Moulton and fiancée , Rick Hoveland, James (Donna) Short; 3 grandchildren, Melissa (Kyle) Witcher, Stephanie (Greg) Knox, Jayme (Ricky) DeLeon and 4 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, American Lung Association or E.T. York Hospice Care Center.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Ave. Funeral service will be held on Friday, July 16, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Trinity United Methodist Church, 4000 NW 53rd Ave. Burial will follow at Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central, 4100 NW 39th Ave.