Robert Lee Shindle

Robert L. Shindle, 88, formerly of Westminster, died Friday, August 16, 2024 at Fairhaven Retirement Community in Sykesville after a long illness. Born February 24, 1936, he was the son of the late Rev. Ira W. and Elsie V. (Showalter) Shindle in Smithsburg, MD, where his father was serving a rural Methodist pastoral charge. His father’s ministry took the family from Washington County to Baltimore, Carroll and Howard Counties and Baltimore City.

Robert graduated from the old Sparrow’s Point High School and joined the US Navy in which he served as a musician aboard the USS Iowa and on the Newport (RI) Naval Station among other assignments. He continued his music education at Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio, and at the University of Washington. In Seattle he took training in business and computer science and began a career in computer programming.

He married the former Mary Kloos after they both graduated from Baldwin-Wallace. They were married for over fifty years before her death in 2015. They had on child, Robert W. Shindle, born during their time in Seattle.

The family returned to Maryland, where elder Robert worked as a computer programmer-analyst with, among others, Mother Goose Shoes, Carroll County Bank & Trust and Random House for thirty years. With his wife, he was active in community music and was a co-founder of the Choral Arts Society (later the Masterworks Chorale) of Carroll County.

Surviving is son Robert W. Shindle of Thurmont; brother Richard Shindle of Catonsville; nephew and niece Randall W. and Debra L. Inmon; niece Cathy L. and husband Kevin Inman and their children Bethany Patterson and Devin Inman; and former daughter-in-law Diane Macklin. He was predeceased by his parents; beloved wife Mary; sister and brother-in-law Evelyn and Sam Inmon; and sister Dorothy Shindle.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 10-12 at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 91 Willis Street, Westminster, MD 21157. A funeral service will be held at 12pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Westminster Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Fairhaven Residents' Assn., 7200 Third Ave., Sykesville, MD 21784.