Bob Shorter, retired English professor, passes away

July 14, 2021

We are saddened to share that retired professor of English Robert N. (Bob) Shorter died at Salemtowne on Saturday, July 10. He was 90 years old.

Professor Shorter grew up in New Rochelle and South Salem, New York. He was educated at Union College, which maintained a special place in his heart, and received his MA and PhD at Duke. He taught medieval literature for 41 years at Wake Forest from 1958-1999 where he was chairman of the English department for 12 years and associate dean of the Graduate School.

Professor Shorter’s special love was Chaucer, whose description of the knight in the Canterbury Tales might well have fit him: “he loved chivalrie/ Trouth and honor, freedom and curteisie . . . .He was a verray, parfait, gentil knyght.”

He is survived by his wife Professor Emerita of English Nancy Cotton, who taught at Wake Forest from 1977-2002, his son Geoffrey who graduated from Wake Forest in 1983, grandson Duncan (Elyse), granddaughter Morgana, and great-granddaughter Letitia Marie.

A memorial will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 17 in the Smith Saal at Salemtowne. Memorial gifts can be made to Wake Forest University or to the Union Fund, 807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308.

We grieve Professor Shorter’s death and extend our condolences to his family and friends, as well as those at Wake Forest who had the opportunity to know him.

Wake Forest offers support and counseling services for all students, faculty and staff. The Counseling Center may be reached at 336.758.5273, the Chaplain’s Office at 336.758.5210. For faculty and staff, there is also the Employee Assistance Program at 336.716.5493.

An obituary is available in the Winston-Salem Journal here.