Shenton, Former Corporation and FAS Secretary, Dead at 75

Robert Shenton, a long-time Harvard administrator, died Tuesday of injuries from a fall he suffered while on vacation in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was 75.

Affiliated with the University for almost five decades, Shenton held positions at the College and on the Corporation and the Board of Overseers.

After serving as registrar of the Faculty from 1965 to 1967, he was secretary of the Faculty for three years.

Shenton then became secretary to the Corporation and the Board of Overseers from 1971 to 1991.

He directed searches for the two most current University presidents--in 1991, when President Neil L. Rudenstine was selected, and two decades earlier, when President Emeritus Derek C. Bok was chosen.

Two years ago, the Harvard Alumni Association awarded Shenton a Harvard Medal for his service to the University.

Shenton received his B.A. from Stanford University in 1944 and an M.B.A. in 1951.

He studied at the Harvard Business School for two years, then shifted to history. He was awarded a Ph.D. in 1962.

Shenton was also a trustee of the public library in the town of Lincoln and of the Boston Baroque Orchestra.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, two sons, Timothy and Mark, and four grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. on March 30, at Memorial Church.