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In memory of

Randall Daye Shields

Bethesda, MD, USA
March 7, 1951 - September 13, 2019
Mar 7, 1951 - Sep 13, 2019
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Patrice and family,
I share in your sadness for the loss of Randall, but also in the comfort and joy of knowing the quality of life he lead and the impact he made on his family as a husband and father, and on his community as a journalist and leader. I became close to him over the last few years as a friend and professional advisor. You may recall he allowed me to decorate my new home with paintings from one of his favorite artists during the time your condo in Greenfield was too small to display them. You also know of his "thriftiness", so you may be aware that rather than pay for my services, he bartered a very valuable and extension book collection. That collection is the most prominent feature decorating the shelves of my home office, so I am grateful to him for that.

I always enjoyed conversing with him, not just about current events and surface level stuff, but about real human things, emotions and behaviors. He was truly a beautiful, kind and loving soul. There was more than two decades difference in our ages, but we treated each other as old friends and classmates. I will miss him, but I take comfort in knowing he will not be forgotten and that he left a legacy that made the world he touched better than he found it.

Jason White
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Love known is a Blessings 💝
He’s researching all of Heaven.
Prayers and Love
Rod & Laura Stull
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Thanking God for your loved one's life and thinking of all of you with prayers at this difficult time.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your Faithfulness. LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23
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Randall and Patrice on the be…
2019, DC Wharf
Randall and Patrice on the best boat trip in DC. ❤️
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The first road trip Connie and I took together was to the DC area to a cookout that Hailey and Adam had where their respective families were to meet and get to know each other. Although everyone there was warm and welcoming, not knowing a soul there aside from Connie and not being a member of either family, I felt like the proverbial wall flower. I fixed a plate and found a seat in a circle of strangers. I struck up a conversation with Randall. He was one of those people who, when talking with him, made me feel that he genuinely cared. We clicked right off and although I had only just met him, I knew I had made a friend for life. I only hope it was as important to him as it was to me. Rest in Peace brother.
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I am so sad to hear of Randall's passing. My thoughts and love are with all of you!
For many years I enjoyed connecting with Randall over our shared interests in medicine and music. I am so happy to have shared one particularly special day with Randall and Patrice --Alexis's medical school graduation and celebration. How sweet that was!
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Our hearts are reaching out to you and your family. We are so so sorry for your loss.
With love,
The Zopf Family
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I am so fortunate to have rec…
I am so fortunate to have reconnected with Randall a few years back. We were friends almost 30 years ago when he first moved to Mitchell. Years later, he and his family moved away and we only spoke sporadically. I am so thankful we became close friends when he and Patrice came back to visit. His high integrity, wisdom, humor, and love of life and family were there for all of us to drink in. I learned so much from him. This photo was taken 9 days before he passed. It was one of the most memorable days of my life. Lenny and I were so happy to get to visit with this beautiful man and his beautiful family. When I got the go ahead to book the trip from Randall, I shared with him my anxiety of me saying something stupid while there. He said, “Oh, I know you’re going to say something stupid, that’s why I love you!” ☺️ 😘Forever
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Randall with my son, Owen. Th…
2017
Randall with my son, Owen. They were 'buddies'.
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I struggle with what to say about Randall, because I could say so much. His loyalty and kindness to me is something that I will treasure always. His love for my children has meant so much, and his efforts to open my mind to new viewpoints have always been appreciated. I met Randall 21 years ago. When I was 22 years old, I remember him telling me to go buy the book 'Awakening the Buddha Within' and I remember thinking that this guy is like no one I have ever met... and wow was I right! When I would worry about things, he would quote Mark Twain and remind me that half of all things worried about never happen. I prayed that my worries of his health situation would fall into those that wouldn't happen, and I am still shaken that he is no longer here to be the pillar of strength that he has been to his family and friends. What an incredible man. ♥️
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Zach and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Randall was a great man. I am glad I was able to share a cabin with him and Patrice at the wedding. Zach, I don't think you could ask for better parents.
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Always looked forward to family reunions, knowing that conversations with Randall would be insightful.
Sorry for your loss
Steve and Marchiea
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Patrice - Dan and I are grateful to have been able to call you friends since you moved to Mitchell, SD, years ago. We had many fun evenings eating pizza at your house with your kids and our kids. Even though the miles separated us, our friendships remained as though we saw each other often. Take care friend. Dan and Diane DesLauriers
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My first interaction with Randall was through email when he so generously, at length, shared his knowledge of alternative pain relief options, when I was caring for my elderly father. I thought he was in the alt medicine field, and didn't learn until later that he was in my profession of journalism. I had immense respect for how he knew that world, and walked in that world. We could use about a million more people with his kind of courage and integrity. My deepest sympathies go out to the family in this great loss.
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Alexis, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I’m thinking of you and your wonderful family. The posts and stories shared here are beautiful ❤️
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I am so sorry Patrice and your entire family. Randall was so intelligent, interesting and witty. I’ll always remember the time you drove your RV along with sweet Bettie to our house and stayed for the evening. It was so nice catching up with you and your great stories.
Randall was an inspiration to all of us to keep learning and pay it forward.
It’s so strange..
When I was walking the Camino in Porto Portugal I knew that Randall, Patrice and Lexi were there. Randall was so patient with me trying to figure out what train station I got off on and finally make it to enjoy dinner with them. HARE!
After a two days of walking I decided to take a detour to a little fishing town to have lunch and there stood Randall and Patrice. They were there exploring and looking for musical instruments. We had a fabulous Portuguese lunch with a lot of laughs!
Randall inspired me to try to play an instrument.
I just recently purchased a ukulele and sent him a video of my first song I learned last night!

Somewhere over the rainbow

I didn’t know that he had passed.
So very sad, he would have laughed at me:)
I loved how Randall took the time to always Listen.
Patrice and him always visited my mother , Loraine Ball, when they were in Grand Rapids and she enjoyed spending time with them.
We are so very sorry
RIP Randall
Bill and Missy
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Good times on The Clinch with…
2017, The Clinch River, Duffield Virginia
Good times on The Clinch with Randall, Keith and Zach. So thankful for the time I could spend with you all.
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Randall Shields was on the go.

From the early days at the Indiana Daily Student when he was just Randy, he was on a mission to learn and live a life fully engaged. And he did. I had the great privilege of calling him a friend.

Working within the same industry, we followed parallel paths that occasionally intersected; Indiana University, the Tribune-Star in Terre Haute and Home News Enterprises in Columbus. Sometimes I lead, but often I drafted from his momentum. I knew early that Randall Shields was going places. And indeed he did.

We shared the joy of fly fishing, camping, and grouse hunting. Although for us it was more about our bird dogs than the birds.

We learned together what was required of us to be fathers and husbands. Admittedly there was trial and error involved.

We played billiards, poker, darts, cribbage, chess, euchre, golf and pentago as opponents and partners. We mastered none of them.

We discussed politics, religion, journalism, wine, beer, gardening, health care, mushrooms and national and international affairs. And though we sometimes disagreed it was never a disagreeable discussion.

We experienced the joys and frustrations of being newspaper publishers. And we lamented the slow erosion of a business model that makes independent journalism possible.

Randall Shields enriched the life's of many and I count myself as one of them.
My world became a smaller place for me with his passing.
My sincere sympathy to Patrice and his family.

I don't know for sure where Randall has gone this time, but I want to someday be there too. I asked him to save me a seat. I hope that he did.
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Loraine Ball and Randall
Loraine Ball and Randall
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Created with love by Patrice Shields (Randall's son).
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