Robert W. Shaw

April 19, 1928 - May 23, 2018

COLEBROOK – Robert William Shaw, 90, of Colebrook passed away on Wednesday morning, May 23, 2018, at his home with his family by his side, and after a long period of failing health. He was born in Colebrook on April 19, 1928, the son of the late Albert W. and Almosa (Favreaux) Shaw. He was a 1946 graduate of Colebrook Academy (while also managing the Jax Theater for Charlie Hughes) and later attended UNH with the Navy ROTC program, attended Navy flight school, and was later commissioned an officer in the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean conflict. Robert’s career was widely varied and extraordinary. As a young man, he was a farm hand for many local farmers and worked at several creameries, and he also worked for the Maine Central Railroad. At one time he also worked as a telephone lineman. Robert was a licensed professional civil engineer in all the New England states and designed and constructed many of the area’s existing infrastructure, including the Pontook hydroelectric facility in Dummer, Colebrook’s airstrip, the water tower and piping system atop Lombard Hill, the current garage and location for Nash Equipment, the sewerage design and construction for the town of Errol, chief engineer for the construction of the original Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, as well as numerous other civil projects and bridges throughout New England, and the Delaware River Turnpike Toll bridge in the 1950s. Robert also had a land surveying and development company for many years, and a Redi-Mix concrete business. Always the air force officer, he enjoyed flying and had his private pilot’s license. He was a proud Episcopalian and a 56-year member and Past Master of Evening Star Lodge #37, F.&A.M. Robert also served 3 years as a selectman for the Town of Colebrook and 5 years as the town’s road agent. Bob and Russell Ingram designed, constructed and gifted the addition to the town library which also houses the Masonic Lodge to this day and which bears his name. Bob is survived by his wife, Linda J. (Vaughn) Shaw of Colebrook; two daughters, Bobbi Shaw of Concord, Terri Shaw of Colebrook; a step-daughter, Kimberly Vaughn-Lynch (Daniel) of Colebrook; and two grandchildren, Eve Elizabeth Shaw-White and Vaughn Shaw-Boire. He is preceded in death by his sister, Marcelle Day. Calling hours will be on Monday, May 28, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A Masonic Funeral Rite will be held at the funeral home at 4 p.m. A funeral service with military honors will be held the next morning, Tuesday, May 29, at 11 a.m. at the Monadnock Congregational Church in Colebrook with The Rev. Timothy Brooks officiating. Interment will occur at a later date in the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Shaw may be made to Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o R. Mulliken, 53 Spring St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.