Robert "Bob" Shiveley

Robert Charles Shiveley Obituary (1931-2025)
Robert “Bob” Charles Shiveley was born December 31, 1931 in Los Angeles, California, to George Henry and Margaret Morton Shiveley. Bob grew up in Eagle Rock, a suburb of Northeast Los Angeles and loved to roam the local hills, especially climbing “The Rock” in his youth. He attended Los Angeles public schools, graduating from Eagle Rock High School. While in high school, he enjoyed sports, particularly gymnastics and football, while competing on the “Eagle’s” sports teams.
Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school, coinciding with the start of the Korean War. After basic training, he was assigned to work as a Machinist Mate on an attack transport ship, the USS Navarro. The ship was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, and Naples, Italy. While on leave, Bob was introduced to Paula Conlee Keet by mutual friends. Paula grew up in nearby Highland Park where she graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School, a fierce rival to Eagle Rock High. After his discharge from the Navy, Bob and Paula were married May 16, 1953 in Pasadena, California.
After wrapping up his military service, Bob was headed towards work in the steam fitting industry because of his Navy training. But with his upcoming marriage and desire to earn money more quickly, he decided to change his career path and began working in electrical cable splicing and overhead electrical transmission jobs for Los Angeles’ Department of Water & Power, and San Diego Gas & Electric. In March 1958, Bob applied for and landed a job with the City of Anaheim Electrical Division as a journeyman lineman.
Bob worked for Anaheim’s Public Utilities Department for 31½ years and rose to General Forman, retiring in June 1989. The favorite part of his job was running a large heavy crew of men, ordering equipment and supplies, and leading his crew in helping to establish and grow Anaheim’s expanding electrical grid. Anaheim’s rapid development and expansion got a boost after securing the winning bid for Walt Disney’s new theme park, Disneyland, in 1955.
Bob and Paula lived in Anaheim during his career, raising their six children. A couple of years after they were married, while still living in Alhambra, Calif, they were introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Carolyn, Bob’s older sister, and her husband Norman. They were both instrumental in leading Bob and Paula on their new spiritual path as they became converted and baptized members. Bob developed his abiding faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and was grateful to perform the temple ordinances for his father, grandparents and great grandparents and their children and many other deceased family members.
Bob served in a variety of callings in his church service; a few of them included dance director, ward MIA leader, Scoutmaster, stake missionary, stake mission leader, genealogy committee leader, high councilor, and Bishop of The Anaheim First Ward. Among his many church callings, Bob’s favorite calling was doing missionary work and helping others in their search to find the true meaning of life.
Upon retiring from the City of Anaheim, Bob and Paula left Southern California and moved to Utah, where they settled in South Jordan, right behind the Jordan River Temple. Shortly after, they served three full time missions; Lagos, Nigeria, Halifax, Canada and Cleveland, Ohio, where they served in the LDS Church’s Kirtland Ohio Historical Sites.
After serving their missions, Bob was able to enjoy one of the real passions in his life, traveling with Paula throughout the United States in their motorhome. They enjoyed many years of traveling in organized caravans, including through Mexico, Canada and Alaska. They also loved searching out and exploring where their ancestors had once lived and visiting many of the LDS Church historical sites in the U.S.
In addition to his devotion to the LDS Church and his large family, Bob had a couple of other passions in his life; his love of America and his love of Eagles, especially America’s national bird, the Bald Eagle. Paula recounts that more than once, while cruising the American highways and backroads in their motorhome, Bob would point out what looked like an eagle and suggest pulling over to investigate further. Over the years he assembled a sizeable collection of eagle statues and other patriotic mementos that his children would sometimes tease him about. Those close to Bob knew that he cherished the Stars and Stripes, and saw him doing his best to be an ambassador of American values and a force for good in his community and the world.
Bob is survived by his wife of 72 years, children; Lori Hunt (Andrew), Rob (Beth), Bruce (Dianna), Sherie Tavernier (Mark), Don (Tamara), Stephen (Beckie), 15 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.
Bob passed away June 2, 2025 in South Jordan, Utah, at the age of 93, and was laid to rest in the South Jordan City Cemetery.