Highlights from his youth included playing the trombone, playing football, participating in Boy Scouting where he earned his Eagle award, and ballroom dancing. After graduating from Murray High School, he served an honorable mission to Copenhagen, Denmark from 1963-1966. He met his wife Rhoana Atkinson at the University of Utah where he was learning to become a teacher and she needed a physiology tutor. The love story began. Their courtship was full of dancing, movies, and family time at home. He married Rhoana Atkinson on June 18, 1969 in the Salt Lake Temple. They soon welcomed their daughter, Noel in 1970 and their son, David in 1972. Harold began his 37 year career in education at Riverview Jr. High School where he started the summer science program. Students learned fun science skills exploring Utah sites such as the Utah Lake, the Great Salt Lake, Donut Falls, and more. It became such a fun time for him and his students. He worked on his masters degree while at Riverview. Afterward, he moved the family to Eureka, Utah where he worked as the principal at Tintic High School and served as the bishop of the Eureka Ward for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After obtaining his doctoral degree, the family moved to Richfield, Utah where he worked as the Central Utah Education Service Center Director.
He traveled all over central Utah at all times of the day and night. In 1990 Harold moved to the Salt Lake Area where he worked at Granite School District as Associate Director of Technology and was instrumental in setting up the Academy of Multimedia. Harold spearheaded the development of remote learning solutions, helping to pave the way for many of the online and distance learning options commonly in-use today. He advocated the successful use of technology most of his career and always felt it would be the direction of education in the future. Harold and Rhoana built their dream home in West Jordan. Harold loved the Lord and loved the scriptures. He loved learning, teaching, and studying. His favorite calling was being a teacher, and especially gospel doctrine teacher. After retirement, Harold and Rhoana traveled to Europe and especially cherished returning to Denmark. He enjoyed gardening and woodworking. He had a great love for family history and genealogy work. He will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his wife Rhoana, daughter Noel (Ryan) Schone, daughter-in-law Kathy Shaw, 8 grandchildren, siblings Gerry (Mel) Taylor, Kathleen (Reed) Thacker, Richard (Caroline) Shaw, Koleen Shaw (sister-in-law), Susan (Cliff) Bryner, and Elizabeth (David) Ruben. He was preceded in death by his son David, parents Harold and Maurine, and brother Larry. He will be deeply missed. His funeral will be held at Fox Pointe Church Building, 1465 W. Bristol Ridge Road (8420 S), West Jordan, Utah on Friday, Oct. 23 at 2:00 p.m. with a viewing prior from 1:00-1:45 p.m. and the graveside service following. An additional viewing will be held on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery, 3401 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wasatchlawn.com for the Shaw family.
