Robert J. Shingler

Shingler, Robert J. ?Bob? 83, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday, October 11, 2007. Judge Shingler was born in Miami, FL and moved to St. Petersburg in 1937 and to Ft. Myers in 1938. Upon his return to St. Petersburg, Bob graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1941 and then attended St. Petersburg Junior College. In 1943, he joined the Marines. While stationed at Paris Island, SC as a drill instructor, he ran the chemical warfare division. As a result of his combat on the island of Okinawa, he was awarded the Purple Heart for his battle wounds and the Bronze Star for his heroism in saving a fellow Marine. Following his military service, he attended the University of Florida on the G.I. Bill and obtained his undergraduate and law degrees. In 1950, he began his practice of law in St. Petersburg. In 1969, Judge Shingler became a Municipal Judge for St. Petersburg and continued to practice law. In 1973, when the municipal court system was abolished, Judge Shingler was elected as one of the first Pinellas County Judges and appointed to oversee the Traffic Court Division. During his tenure, he developed forms and procedures to assist litigants in Court. He ran unopposed as County Judge in every election and retired in January, 1989. Bob remained a Senior Judge until 1995, when he completely retired. Judge Shingler was a member of the American Judicature Society, the American Bar Association, The North American Judges Association, The American Trial Lawyers Association, Faculty Advisor at the National Judicial College, and the Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association. His civic involvements included the Chamber of Commerce, Easter Seals Society, Sunshine Lodge 288 F&AM of St. Petersburg, 32nd Mason-Tampa Consistory ? Egypt Temple, Phi Delta Theta, the Marine Corps League, the Bucketeers, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, and the Over-the-Hill Gang. He was a Director, Past President, and Charter Member of the Sertoma. Upon his retirement, Judge Shingler and his wife enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe. He enjoyed gardening and wood working. He was preceded in death by his step-son, Charles D. Erwin. Survivors include his wife, Aimee Hummel Shingler; two sons: Thomas E. Peggy Shingler, of Dallas, TX; Robert J. Shingler, Jr., of St. Petersburg; a daughter, Lisa Eugene McColgan, of Lutz, FL; and a Step-son, Riley W. Vicki Erwin, of Atlanta, GA. Friends may call on Friday, October 19th from 5-7PM at Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home, 2201 Dr. M.L. King St. N. A Memorial Ceremony with military honors will be held on Saturday, October 20th at 10:00AM at Allendale United Methodist Church, 3803 Haines Road North, St. Petersburg. The family prefers memorial donations to the Hospice of the FL Suncoast, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760 or the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 3008, Princeton, NJ 08543-3008, www.mcsf.com.