Robert Shaw

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Robert Calvin Shaw, 80, of Columbia passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, April 2, 2010.

He was born July 1, 1929, in Illmo, Mo., the youngest of eight children, to William Henry and Rose Missouri Palmer Shaw. He married Mary Ann Fisher on Aug. 13, 1955, in Ancell, Mo.

He graduated from Illmo High School in 1947 and received his bachelor's degree in science from Southeast Missouri State College in 1950. He began his half-century career in education, teaching math and science, in Fornfelt, Mo.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1951 and served in the Counter Intelligence Corps until 1953. While stationed in Berlin, he witnessed the closing of the border between West Berlin and East Germany. He traveled to London during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1955, he began a four-year term as assistant principal and biology teacher at Hickman High School. He earned his education degree from the University of Missouri in 1959, having been mentored by Dr. John Rufi. He then became assistant superintendent of schools in Columbia and worked under Dr. Neil C. Aslin.

Dr. Shaw served as superintendent until 1976, when he again followed Dr. Aslin in his position as professor in the College of Education at the University of Missouri. During his tenure he mentored numerous educators and administrators who continue to serve Missouri. For more than 20 years, he was the Missouri state director of the North Central Association (NCA), accrediting schools throughout the Midwest and overseas. He was the president for the NCA in 1998.

He was a long-time member of Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia and served as campaign chairman of the Columbia United Way in 1962. The Junior Chamber of Commerce awarded him the Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1962.

He served on the executive committee of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and was president of the Columbia Rotary Club from 1964 to 1965. In 1970, he was awarded the American Educator medal by the United States Freedom Foundation. He served on the board of curators of Stephens College in Columbia from 1979 to 1982.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann, of Columbia; four sons, Robert Calvin Shaw Jr. (Jeannie), their children, Jordan and Riley, of Overland Park, Kan., John Curtis Shaw and partner Desmond Child, their children Roman and Nyro of Nashville, Tenn., Steven Lane Shaw, Minneapolis, Stuart Kent Shaw (Julie), their children Jack and Caroline of Kansas City, Mo., and a brother, William Henry Shaw of Columbia.

His parents and six sisters, Gussie, Helen, Mildred, Emma Lea, Hazel and Rose Willetta preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church.

Private burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Robert C. Shaw Scholarship Fund, University of Missouri Development Office, 114 Hill Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, or to a charity of choice.

Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia is in charge of the arrangements.