Randall Stuart Shelden, local businessman, entrepreneur, outdoor adventurer, and multi-sport athlete passed away peacefully July 10, 2018 surrounded by loving family and friends. Born in Rockford, IL, May 28, 1957, son of James and Norma Shelden, Randy attended Keith School and West High School before graduating from Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts. He later graduated from the University of Colorado, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Randy was a fitness enthusiast, and to that end he founded The Edge Fitness Center in Belvidere. He had a keen awareness of the need for proper nutrition and physical fitness to maintain a healthy mind and body.
He was a hard-working real estate investor having rental properties in Lake Geneva, as well as several local properties. He enjoyed rehabbing homes and improving neighborhoods in the process. And through vacation rentals, he truly enjoyed creating a welcoming and relaxing environment for his guests.
Randy had a love of photography, gardening and camping, which he enjoyed throughout his life. To say Randy loved sports, might be considered an understatement. He excelled at snow and water skiing, lake and ocean sailing, Nordic skiing and canoeing. And his competitive pursuits ran the gamut from sailing with the Lake Waubesa Sailing Club to the “Mac” race to running numerous marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and completing four Iron Man Triathlons. His true passion was Nordic skiing, and he completed his 33rd annual 50K American Birkebeiner (Birkie) ski marathon in February, where he was an uberlegger finisher, having skied thirty or more Birkies. Randy was a past member of Second Congregational Church and more recently attended Heartland Community Church. He is survived by his loving wife, Kay Lynne, Rockford; brother James Shelden Jr. (Carrie), Atlanta; brother Charles Shelden ’77 (Kittie Hook), Denver; sister Julia Trowbridge, Clarendon Hills, IL; aunt Carolyn Bailey, Rockford; and several cousins, nieces and nephews whom he adored. Randy was humorous, generous, loyal, fun-loving, loved to laugh, and cared deeply for others. He will be greatly missed by friends and family. Preceded in death by parents James Whitney and Norma J. Shelden, uncles James Bailey and Bennett Griggs, and an aunt, Margaret Shelden Griggs.
Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community
So sad, I had the fortune of reconnecting with Randy in the late 90’s and meeting up in Chicago Tri for a number of years. He was always a pleasure to be with and Randy will certainly be missed. RIP my friend.
RIP Randy.
Although I did not know Randy well, his face popped into my head when I read the note from WNS. Peace to all of you who love him. Lisa Heffelfinger 76
Randy was a great guy and a good friend, we had many hilarious and fun days during our boarding school days at WNS! It so so sad to hear about his passing, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends…..,Rest in Peace my friend