Robert Edward Shoemaker, 81, died Tuesday of congestive heart failure at Manor Care Nursing Center in Hemet. Inurnment will be private. Miller-Jones Mortuary in Hemet is handling cremation arrangements.

Mr. Shoemaker, who was born in Oakland, lived in Hemet for 17 years. He was a counselor and bus driver for the San Carlos school district for 10 years. He played baseball in his youth for Oakland High School, the San Francisco Seals AAA Team in the 1930s and for the Bizbee Baseball Team in Arizona. He managed the McClellan AFB and the AAA Cubs baseball teams in Sacramento. He was a member of the Methodist Church in Sacramento.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Betty J.; a son, Robert J. Jr. of Phoenix, Ariz.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.