MADISON - Robert Joseph “Bob” Shaw, age 83, of Madison, passed away on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at St. Mary's Hospital, which is the same place he was born on Dec. 21, 1939. Robert was the son of Harold Lee Shaw, who he unfortunately never met, as Harold passed away in July of 1939 due to drowning on Lake Monona. Robert, along with his three siblings, were raised by his mother, Agnes Barman, and stepfather, Joseph Nelson, in the Blue Mounds area.

Robert graduated from Mount Horeb high school in 1959, then met and married the love of his life, Margaret “Peggy” Hope Trainor on Aug. 2, 1963. Bob went on to serve in the U.S. Army which sent Bob and Peggy on an adventure to Georgia. Upon honorable discharge from the Army, Bob and Peggy moved back to the Madison area, where Bob started a 39-year career with Canteen-CL Swanson Corporation, starting as a route driver and progressing through the ranks to Rebuild and Maintenance Manager. Together Bob and Peggy had three sons along with also raising five younger siblings, following the untimely deaths of Peggy’s parents. Bob retired shortly after the passing of his wife, Peggy, at the end of 2002.

Bob had an incredible sense of humor and a bigger than life infectious laugh to go with it. He was a member and usher at St. Bernard Catholic Church on Atwood Avenue. Bob was an avid lover of dogs and nature, and particularly enjoyed hunting and fishing earlier in life and most recently feeding, the many birds of Wisconsin along with bird watching. Even though life was very busy, Bob made it a priority of taking annual family vacations camping and cabin trips to northern Wisconsin. Bob took meticulous care and pride in his home, vehicles and particularly his flowers and lawn. Bob was the patriarch and anchor of our entire family, and nothing made him smile bigger than his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Robert is survived by his sons, Todd (Deborah) Shaw, Chad (Desiree) Shaw and Robin Shaw; grandchildren, Alexander (Emily) Shaw, Brittany Shaw, Kenna Shaw; great-grandchildren, Quinn Shaw and Archer Shaw; and many other nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins. He is further survived by those he raised, Victoria (Denny) Selje, Veronica (Tom) Thornburg, John (Pauline) Trainor, and James (Lauren) Trainor. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Agnes; wife, Margaret; sisters, Culleen Peterson and Carol Peterson; brother, Vernon Shaw, half-sister, Jodene Napstead; in-laws, Antoinette Feldbrugge, whom he raised, Elizabeth O’Leary, Joseph Trainor, Ronald Trainor and Patricia Hanson. Last but not at all least his favorite Lhasa Apso, Buddy.

The family would like to sincerely thank Bob’s lifelong friends and neighbors, Dale and Barbara Peterson, for their incredible support. We would also like to thank the staff of St. Mary’s Hospital for their excellent and kind care over the last several years, especially the staff of 5 East, where he spent his last several weeks.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 12 noon on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. Burial will take place at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Robert Shaw

December 21, 1939 - November 06, 2023

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