Robert Blythe Shaw, of Newtown, passed away peacefully after a brief illness just three days after his 93rd birthday, on January 29. He was born on January 26, 1928, to Cecile Susan and Walter Burton Shaw of Darien, Conn. Bob, as he was known to his friends, grew up there and graduated from Darien High School in 1946. He then served our country in the United States Army, stationed in Japan after World War II.

Following his tour of duty, Bob returned to the States and married Lillian Eleanor Swenson of Stamford, Conn. They raised their own family, Barbara, Pamela, and Randall, in Darien as well. Bob worked for HELCO as a manager in the Stamford office and then was promoted to district manager for CL&P in Danbury, where he worked until his retirement.

Regardless of location, either at St John’s Lutheran in Stamford or at Newtown Congregational, Bob was always active in his church. Whether chairman of the Youth Committee, president of the Men’s Club, caretaker of the Memorial Garden, or “Egg-Man” for the annual Ladies’ Valentine's Day Breakfast, Bob was an enthusiastic supporter of church stewardship and fellowship. He always worked tirelessly to raise money for charity, especially for the Feed the Children organization, which was near and dear to his heart. He was equally devoted to supporting the St Joseph’s Indian School in South Dakota, where he sponsored individual Lakota children on the reservation. On the coldest winter days, he rang bells for the Salvation Army and sold Christmas trees for the Men’s Club. Bob was known to organize Cub Scout Blue and Gold Dinners for the church troop and engage the local Boy Scouts in church “building and grounds” projects. He was always doing for others with a kind, generous, and fun spirit. Bob’s eternal optimism was contagious and enabled him to rally the support of others in the pursuit of worthwhile causes.

Elsewhere in the community, Bob served on various town committees and boards. He was a board member of the United Way, president of the Bethel Chamber of Commerce, and president of the Newtown Housing for the Elderly. Bob was particularly dedicated to planning and expanding the Nunnawauk Meadows housing complex for seniors in Newtown. He was truly a community servant!

Bob Shaw was not all work and no play. He and his family spent lots of time at their cottage on Augur Lake in the Adirondacks. He was an avid fisherman and made wonderful memories there with his family. Of course, he got involved with the New York State EPA and the Adirondack Park Association and launched an environmental campaign to control invasive weed growth, and worked with state senators to regulate laws impacting the entire watershed area. As president of his lake association, he oversaw the introduction of carp to curb the growth of Eurasian Milfoil. This became a model for many other lakes in the region. Bob was a man of action, spurred on by his passion to make a difference in this world, and he did.

Bob will be truly missed, not only by his community, but by the family that he loved so much. Though predeceased by his loving wife, Lillian, and his brother, Howard, he is survived by his children, Barbara McKinney, Pam Shaw, and Randall Shaw and his wife, Emily. He leaves behind grandchildren Robin, Reed, Sam, Rachel, and Jessica, along with great-grandchildren Natalie and Audrey. There are also many nieces and nephews who will fondly remember their Uncle Bob. Honorary family member Dorothy Sherman will surely suffer the loss of her dear friend, Bob.

Private funeral services will be held for the immediate family on Thursday, February 4, but a Celebration of Life service will be held in Bob’s honor at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to Feed the Children, PO Box 36, Oklahoma City OK 73101-0036. That would truly mean a lot to Bob.