Robert Shearer, professor of Decision Science, teaches a Surf Chapel student how to pop up on their board at Zuma Beach on Sep. 15. Shearer said he is not the leader of Surf Chapel, but he tries to facilitate an environment where student leaders can shine. Photo courtesy of the Surf Chapel Instagram
From fighting on the front lines to fighting mountain lions.
Robert Shearer, professor of Decision Science, has trekked a journey through the Army, academia and his love for surfing.
Shearer said his students remind him of the lifelong friends he made in the Army, and he enjoys fostering relationships in the small communities at Pepperdine — ones similar to the ones he once had in the Army.
“Surf Chapel reinforces how important little communities in college are,” Shearer said. “You’ve got different friend groups, different folks, different things, but they really add up to your college experience and I like the fact that we’re an option.”
An Army Upbringing
Shearer said his childhood consisted of moving from place to place.
“I was an Army brat,” Shearer said. “My dad was in the military and so we moved around a lot.”
Shearer said he grew up wanting to emulate his father and walked in his footsteps when it was time for him to choose a post-grad path.
“I think the world of my father,” Shearer said. “So I went to West Point and I spent 22 years in the Army.”
Shearer said he took advantage of the benefits the Army provided in relation to schooling. He was able to watch his son grow up while earning his master’s degree and PhD free of cost.
During his time in the Army, not only did Shearer complete his Masters Program and PhD, but he was also deployed overseas. On his first assignment, Shearer said he had a rifle platoon of 40 men and they were camped out for 270 days.
“I’m with these guys all the time, and kind of whatever suffering they’re going through — I’m going through it with them,” Shearer said. “And whatever exciting things they’re doing, like jumping out of planes and blowing stuff up.”
Shearer said being in the Army is the dream for any man in his early twenties, and he gained lifelong friendships through the experience.
Life progresses and Shearer said as everyone receives different opportunities and assignments, sometimes that means getting split up from those men. One of his favorite parts of his job is being around that same early twenties age group.
“You guys [students] are 18 to 21 — that’s like 99% of the Army,” Shearer said. “So in one sense, I’m hanging out with that same age group.”
Shearer inspects a soldiers’ pack in Fort Bragg, North Carolina before a night jump. Shearer was a rifle platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne Division. Photo courtesy of Robert Shearer
Surf Chapel
Shearer said he didn’t start surfing until his son gained an interest. The two of them grew a bond over the sport.
“We spent a couple days surfing, and then we wanted to do it every day after that,” Shearer said. “And so we both got hooked.”
Surf Chapel was established at Pepperdine 15 years ago and remains a place where Pepperdine surfers can connect with the community and simultaneously grow their faith, according to their website.
Shearer said he sets up Surf Chapel in a way that prioritizes small groups and small group leaders for students to grow an intimate connection within these groups.
“The best part of Surf Chapel is actually the small groups,” Shearer said.
Alumni Ezra Hamilton (25) is a small group leaders and has been a part of Surf Chapel throughout his four years at Pepperdine. He said Shearer has been a cornerstone for the success and continuity of Surf Chapel.
“He will bring the leaders to breakfast and we’ll just hang out and talk and it just shows his intentionality,” Hamilton said.
Shearer said his students come for the waves but stay for the conversation, and he said he wants to foster that.
“I enjoy sitting out on a surfboard talking to a Pepperdine students about their faith, or kind of hard things,” Shearer said.
Sophomore Biology major Brooke North has been in Surf Chapel since her first week at Pepperdine, where Shearer taught her to surf.
“Rob really fosters an environment where beginners can learn how to surf,” North said.
Both Hamilton and North made note of Shearer’s passion that he puts into all he does.
“He’s super passionate about everything he does and is just a very kind person in general,” Hamilton said.
Where Passion Surpasses Fear and Mountain Lions
Shearers’ passions range from Surf Chapel to his small dog, Maisie.
“Since we’re empty nesters, all of our love and affection goes into six pounds of Maisie,” Shearer said.
One day, Shearer said he took Maisie on a walk in their neighborhood in Drescher’s faculty housing on campus.
The gloomy walk started as normal until the normally quiet, 6-pound Havanese started aggressively barking.
“The first thing I notice is there’s a 60-pound mountain lion nose to nose with my dog,” Shearer said.
Shearer said he was determined to protect his beloved pooch.
“My foot flies through the space the mountain lion had been,” Shearer said. “Then the mountain lion does a 180 and runs back up the hill.”
After talking with local park rangers, Shearer said the mountain lion was never seen i the area again and Maisie is still happy as can be.
Without the mountain lions, Shearer and Maisie can be seen walking around campus to meet new Waves and their parents.
“One of my favorite days at Pepperdine is that first day of NSO,” Shearer said. “Because Maisie and I will just walk through the freshman dorm road and talk to moms and dads, because it’s fun.”
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Contact Haylie Ross via email: haylie.ross@pepperdine.edu
