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Celebrating the life of
Terry Kent Sheldahl
February 14, 1942 - September 18, 2023
Terry Kent Sheldahl, 81, of Savannah, GA passed away on Monday, September 18, 2023 after a long illness.
Terry was born in Des Moines, Iowa on Valentine’s Day in 1942 to Everett and Faye Sheldahl. He grew up in Polk City, Iowa where he gained a love of learning and the piano. He graduated from high school in 1960 and went on to study at Drake University. At Drake he studied Philosophy and graduated with honors in 1963. He was awarded a fellowship, which enabled him to continue his studies at Johns Hopkins University, where he got his PhD in Philosophy (1967). For the next few years, he taught philosophy as an assistant professor at Temple University, Colorado State, and Central Michigan University.
Upon advice from a friend at the time, he moved south in search of new teaching opportunities and wound up meeting his wife, Mary Jane (Sullivan) Sheldahl. They got married in 1972 and had one child, Christopher. It was also during this first period in Savannah that Terry went back to school to get a second Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Armstrong State College. He graduated magna cum laude in 1974 and left Savannah to get a second PhD in Accounting from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa in 1979.
After getting his second PhD, Terry continued teaching, getting assistant professor positions at Syracuse University and the University of South Carolina and associate professor positions at Millsaps College and Loyola College before returning to Savannah. He finished out his career teaching at Savannah State and St. Leo University at Savannah.
During the course of his career, Terry wrote and edited several academic books relating to the history of accounting which can be found in libraries around the world, including university libraries in Poland, Namibia, and Australia. When he wasn’t lecturing or working on his latest writing project, Terry played the piano and sang with the choir at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church in Savannah, GA and kept active by walking around midtown Savannah. He was also a lifelong fan of Major League Baseball.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brother Tom Sheldahl. He is survived by his son, Christopher Sheldahl (Angela), his grandson, Alex, his sister-in-law, Mary Sheldahl, his sister-in-law, Caroline Bontempo (Ken) and his nieces Blake Hawley (Keith) and Teresa Bontempo.
Graveside service will be held at the Catholic Cemetery of Savannah on Saturday, September 23 at 3pm. Remembrances may be made to the Humane Society of Chatham-Savannah, 72115 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah, GA 31406.
A candle has been lit!
My deepest condolences. Terry was a devout member of my choir at St. Paul's Lutheran for many years prior to the COVID epidemic. Our thoughts and prayers to the entire family.
- Donald Martin, Savannah, GA
Terry was one of my very good friends in graduate school at Johns Hopkins, and we kept up with one another ever since with letters. Terry was exceptionally bright and talented, with a wide range of interests. I feel privileged to have known him. I was hoping some day to go to Savannah and visit him, but unfortunately I did not find the opportunity. I will miss corresponding with him. RIP
- David Blankenship, New Paltz, NY
Caroline, Ken, and family, I'm so sorry for your loss of Terry. May he rest in peace. Sincerely, Anne.
- Anne Sutton, Savannah, Georgia
I sang with Terry in St. Paul's choir. He was very kind and very intelligent. I enjoyed baseball conversations with him. Condolences to his family.
- Kimberly M Screen, Pooler, GA
I sang with Terry in St. Paul's choir. He was very kind and very intelligent. I enjoyed baseball conversations with him. Condolences to his family.
- Kimberly M Screen, Pooler, GA
I sang with Terry in St. Paul's choir. He was very kind and very intelligent. I enjoyed baseball conversations with him. Condolences to his family.
- Kimberly M Screen, Pooler, GA
I sang with Terry in St. Paul's choir. He was very kind and very intelligent. I enjoyed baseball conversations with him. Condolences to his family.
- Kimberly M Screen, Pooler, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
- Graveside Service
- 3:00 p.m. on Sat, September 23, 2023
- Catholic Cemetery
-
1420 Wheaton St. (map)
Savannah GA 31401