Samuel E. Bishop

Samuel E. Bishop, 81, of Cape Girardeau passed away Saturday, June 19, 2021, at his residence.

Sam was born Aug. 18, 1939, in St. Louis to the late Louis and Dorothy Crone Bishop.  He and Lisa Beaty were married June 30, 1990, in Cape Girardeau.

Sam grew up in St. Louis and came to Cape Girardeau to attend Southeast Missouri State University. He graduated in 1961 with his bachelor of science. He then received his master’s in 1964 from the University of Missouri and a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in 1979, with post-doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge in Cambridge England.

Sam began his teaching career in 1961 at Caruthersville, Missouri, teaching art and math. The students at Caruthersville and his experience there remained a very important part of his life. In 1968 he began a 38-year career at Southeast Missouri State University, teaching at the former University High School and teaching art history in the university’s art department. Throughout his tenure, he taught thousands of students, served as chair of the department in 1994 and retired as professor emeritus in 2006.

In addition to being an avid reader, he also enjoyed traveling and traveled extensively in Europe. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau, where he served as deacon. He was a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club. He was a dedicated husband, a loving and devoted father and an inspirational friend to so many. 

Loving survivors include his wife, Lisa Bishop; daughter Lauren (Eli) Flood of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Joan (Earl) Myers of English, Indiana, and Peggy “Scotty” (Mike) Herndon of Murphysboro, Illinois; as well as many nieces, nephews and a whole host of friends. 

Sam was preceded in death by his father, Louis Bishop, and his mother, Dorothy Crone Scott.

A celebration of life will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 25, 2021, at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, where Sam’s art will be on display.

Memorials may be given to: First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau, the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri Capitol Campaign or the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri.

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