Ron was born and grew up in Henderson, Kentucky, graduating from Henderson High School. Attending Western Kentucky University on a football scholarship, he played quarterback in football, third base and outfielder in baseball. Ronnie was elected president of the WKU Student Body, president of his senior class, and president of the history and “W” Clubs. He also was a Distinguished Military Graduate. Ronnie returned to his alma mater to serve on the Board of Regents for fourteen years, and twice on the committee recommending the new president.
Following his college graduation, Ronnie married Anne Shaver, his high school and college girlfriend. Ronnie’s first tour of duty with the United States Army was at Fort Benning, Georgia. That was followed by an assignment at Fort Hood, Texas. His last tour of duty was as advisor to a Vietnamese Infantry Battalion. For his service in Vietnam Ronnie was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and two Bronze Stars. Although he had no army reserve obligation, he was assigned by the Pentagon to spend two weeks in summer camp with the Ohio National Guard, describing his Vietnam experiences to the troops.
After completing four years of military service, Ronnie taught high school government at Henderson High School, also serving as assistant coach in football, basketball, and baseball. With the support of Anne and the G.I. bill, Ronnie attended law school at the University of Kentucky, where he was a member of the Moot Court Board. Having two young sons, Ronnie worked as a law clerk for a Lexington attorney and officiated high school football and basketball. Anne taught French and English in junior and senior high, while earning a Master’s Degree at U.K.
During his first years of practice, Ronnie was a criminal prosecutor. In 1982 he was one of the leaders forming a law firm with offices across the state and in southern Indiana. Currently, he is a partner with Phil Monhollen in the firm Sheffer & Monhollen with offices in Louisville, Kentucky.
A trial lawyer, Ronnie’s primary practice is in the defense of physician, hospital and nursing home cases. However, he has also represented General Motors in major employment cases; Nashville-Davidson County in a multi-million dollar environmental case; leading thoroughbred horse jockeys in a federal court action for their First Amendment right to wear logos on their breeches; coal companies in multi-million dollar cases; lawyers, bankers, and businessmen in white collar criminal defense cases; defendants in major criminal cases.
An avid sports fan, Ronnie has followed the Boston Red Sox since he was eight years old. For twenty years (except 2020) he attended at least one game each year at Fenway Park and one game of every World Series the Red Sox have been in since 2004. He enjoys fly fishing in Idaho and thoroughbred horse racing. Until December of 2020, Anne and Ronnie bred and raced thoroughbred race horses.
Ronnie lives in Louisville with his wife Anne, who earned five college degrees, including a Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt University. Though she worked in an equal number of careers, their family came first. She and Ronnie have three grown children and seven grandchildren.
