Robert Phillip Shaw Sr.

Robert Phillip Shaw, Sr left this world on November 3, 2022, and has been laid to eternal rest. His obituary is being updated to include his final resting places. Rob’s cremains have been placed at the three places he loved most in this world -- committed to the sea, scattered in his boyhood hometown and dedicated with his family.

Rob will continue to be remembered with love by his widow, Jerri; children Robbie, Lauren, Ethan, Jake, Adam, Amanda and Molly; grandchildren Jonathan, Leah and Oliver; former wives Kim and Mary; mother Sheila; mother-in-law Phyllis; brother Paul; sister Cindy; nephew Preston; niece Rachel; son-in-law Paden; extended family and friends.

Lieutenant Commander Robert Phillip Shaw, Sr’s committal ceremony was conducted at sea with full Naval honors, from onboard the USS Leyte Gulf, on July 23rd, 2023. The steel box of his cremains bore the golden eagle crest from his personal Officer’s uniform, and he rests just off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina -- the very place where he enlisted from. Rob loved his memories of South Carolina. It’s where he learned to cast a net for shrimp, where he honed his skills for hunting and fishing, and where his grandson Jonathan was born. Of all the oceans he sailed in service to our country, no spot could be more meaningful or befitting to honor him.

On December 26th, 2023, Rob’s ashes were also scattered during a private ceremony in his hometown of Springfield, Missouri. Rob was born there, grew up there, rode his bike up and down every street there. He learned to hunt and fish from his paternal grandparents at a stone cabin they had just outside of town. The scattering was done at Sequiota Park, in the spring branch, just over the hill from his grandparents’ home. Rob told many stories of climbing through those woods and over that hill to play – carving his initials in the caves, chasing out the bats, pole fishing in the small reservoir lake with crawfish he caught by turning over rocks. He was free and full of life there. The Sequiota waters feed into the James River and on to the many lakes that make up the southwest Missouri waterways where he loved to boat and fish.

And finally, Rob’s memorial marker was placed and a graveside service held on January 19th, 2024, in the Garden of the First Miracle at Peninsula Memorial Park in Newport News, Virginia. Family and friends gathered on that day not only to honor Rob’s 30 years of Naval service or just to remember the pleasure he had from his many hobbies. We gathered on that day to recognize the true legacy of Robert Phillip Shaw, Sr – the legacy of his three blended families that gave him his greatest joy in life -- the love of his seven children (Lauren, Amanda, Molly, Ethan, Jake, Adam and Robbie) and his three grandchildren (Jonathan, Leah and Oliver).

It’s easy to think of Rob as a Navy guy or a fishing guy, but Rob’s true legacy was as a father and a grandfather. He was the proudest when he was with his kids and grandkids. He was the happiest when he was able to help them, take them places, make memories with them and just share his time and life with them. Now we carry the memories of his deep voice, funny laugh and soft kiss. The memories of football games, road trips and time spent fishing with him. The memories of playing catch in the yard, long walks on the beach and Harley rides. The memories of bad dad jokes, bro days and the burnt plastic smell of his self-made baits. Now it is those very times that we treasure the most. The memories of his stories, the memories of his advice, the memories of his love – the memories of the time he spent with us – those memories will be treasured in our hearts forever.

The tragic loss of Rob Shaw from our lives is still deeply painful. His passing was like an explosion, rocking everyone to their core who ever loved him or called him friend. Our hope is that the love that exists within our memories soothes us. Our belief is in knowing peace will come as we collectively mourn and grieve him. We have honored and shone light on “the man, the myth, the legend” that was Robert Phillip Shaw, Sr. He is at eternal peace on the water now. Rob will be forever missed, forever remembered and forever loved.

Rob, you weren’t Superman, but you were our hero. Know that we will carry on and carry you in our hearts forever and for always. Rest in Peace – we have the watch.

The family is deeply thankful to those who have helped us with their kindness and support through this painful time. We remain forever grateful.

Contributions in Rob’s name can still be made to The Headstrong Project at theheadstrongproject.org.

-----

Robert Phillip Shaw Sr. left us on Thursday, November 3, 2022. He is survived by his loving wife, Jerri Shaw and their beloved son, Robert (Robbie) Phillip Shaw II, Hampton, VA; former wife, Kimberly Srogi, their daughter Lauren Nichol Shaw and treasured grandson Jonathan Michael Shaw, Anderson, IN; former wife, Mary Shaw, their sons Ethan Travis Ray Shaw, Jacob (Jake) Wade Shaw and Adam Richard Shaw, Hampton, VA; stepdaughter Amanda (Strickland) and Paden Haas and precious granddaughter Leah Jean, Hampton, VA; stepdaughter Molly Strickland, Springfield, MO; mother and stepfather, Sheila and Richard Ward, Silverdale, WA; brother Paul Shaw III and nephew Preston, Biloxi and Long Beach, MS; sister Cindy and Rick Albertson and niece Rachel Worden, Port Orchard, WA; cherished mother-in-law Phyllis Dixon, Springfield, MO; extended family and friends.

Rob was born in Springfield, Missouri on September 13, 1965, and no matter where he roamed, the Ozarks were always where he called home.

Rob joined the Navy in 1983 as an E-1 and rose through the ranks to retire in 2012 as a Lieutenant Commander. He was an initiated Chief Petty Officer and while a Senior Chief, commissioned, joining the Wardroom as a proud Mustang. He served on many submarines, surface ships and shore commands. He was especially proud of his time spent as a crewmember of the USS Narwhal (SSN-671), the USS South Carolina (CGN-37) and as the Executive Officer of the USS Ardent (MCM-12) immediately after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Rob received multiple awards and warfare designations, including his Enlisted Submarine Warfare, Enlisted Surface Warfare and Surface Warfare Officer pins, eight Navy Commendation Medals and two Meritorious Service Medals.

Rob was a devoted son to Sheila and Richard and a revered brother to Paul and Cindy. More than anything, he was loved by his children and grandchildren and did his best to be there for them. Whether it was giving advice to Lauren, being full of pride as Ethan graduated from Old Dominion University, pacing the sidelines at Jake’s Smithfield football games, coaching Adam’s baseball traveling team, crying as Robbie earned his Junior Black Belt at the age of 10, beaming with Amanda and Paden on their wedding day, laughing with Molly over silly practical jokes, driving to get Jonathan for school breaks and summer vacations or playing Grandpa Shark with Leah.

Rob was an expert bass fisherman, an avid Kansas City Chiefs fanatic, enjoyed going to NASCAR races (RIP #3), a Harley rider and a huge history and museum buff. He had many friends, from every walk of life, all over the world and will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.

Please consider a donation in Rob's name to The Headstrong Project, a group that provides for mental health treatment within the military community. But more than anything, do remember Rob in your heart – just as he remembered each of you in his – and know that he’s out there on the water somewhere, with bluebird skies, throwing a bubblegum trick worm under one of God’s docks. “Vincit Qui Patitur”