Dr. Robert E. Shalhope

Robert Ely Shalhope, 84, passed away on November 7, 2025 after a long and fulfilling life.

Bob was born on February 24, 1941, in Kansas City Missouri to Lee and Cecile Shalhope. He grew up in LaGrange Illinois.

Dr. Robert E. Shalhope was a devoted historian, teacher, and scholar whose career at the University of Oklahoma spanned more than forty years. After earning his B.A. from DePauw University in 1963 and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Missouri, he joined the faculty at the University of Oklahoma in 1967. Over the decades, he served as Assistant, Associate, and full Professor of History, and was honored as the George Lynn Cross Professor of History. He retired as Professor Emeritus in 2007.

An accomplished scholar, Dr. Shalhope authored several influential books, including Sterling Price: Portrait of a Southerner, John Taylor of Caroline: Pastoral Republican, The Roots of Democracy: American Culture and Thought, 1760–1800, and Bennington and the Green Mountain Boys: The Emergence of Liberal Democracy in Vermont, 1760–1850. His later works, A Tale of New England: The Diaries of Hiram Harwood and The Baltimore Bank Riot: Political Upheaval in Antebellum Maryland, further reflected his deep engagement with the study of American republicanism and early national political culture.

Dr. Shalhope’s scholarship profoundly shaped understanding of early American political thought, particularly the development of republicanism and the ideological origins of the Second Amendment. His essays appeared in leading journals such as the William and Mary Quarterly, Journal of Southern History, and Journal of American History.

He was recognized nationally for his scholarship, receiving fellowships from both the National Endowment for the Humanities and Harvard University’s Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History. In 2000, he served as Visiting Professor of Modern History at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, sharing his expertise abroad and forming lasting friendships with fellow historians. Even after retirement, he remained engaged with his field, continuing to read, write, and discuss history with enthusiasm.

Throughout his career, Bob was known not only for his intellectual rigor but also for his warmth and generosity as a mentor. His office door was always open to students, and he inspired generations to think critically about history and the meaning of citizenship. Colleagues remember him as a thoughtful scholar, a dedicated teacher, and a kind friend with a dry wit and a deep love of conversation. Dr. Shalhope’s legacy endures through his writings, his students, and the countless lives he touched during his long and remarkable career.

Bob found joy in life’s simple pleasures and cherished time spent in nature, with family and close friends. He and Emma, spent many years on Martha’s Vineyard where they both found peace and inspiration. They considered the Vineyard their second home and were respected members of the community. At home, in Norman, one of his proudest accomplishments was co-founding the Norman Youth Soccer League in September 1976, a lasting testament to his love of sport and his heartfelt connection to community.

Bob is survived by his wife of 63 years, Emma; their children, Adelaide and her husband Brian of Gartness, Scotland, and Robert and his wife Stephanie of Denver, Colorado; two grandchildren, Claire and Jack; and brother Don and his wife Betty of Hood River Oregon,

Bob possessed a brilliant mind, a disarming wit, and an empathetic heart. He will be dearly missed.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.