ETCM (SS) Robert Leighton Shaw, 79, of Ottumwa, died at 8:49 a.m. September 6, 2024 at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.
He was born December 30, 1944 in Ottumwa to Darrell Leighton Shaw and Ruth Jones Shaw. He married Connie Ruth Eaves August 26, 1971.
A 1963 graduate of Ottumwa High School, Bob participated in football and track where he set the record for the long jump. He was named “Athlete of the Year” of his graduating class. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and over his career was stationed in Great Lakes, IL, Virginia, Charleston, SC, Prospect Harbor, ME, Kittery, ME, Connecticut, Winter Harbor, ME, Cape Canaveral, FL and Satellite Beach FL. Having served almost 27 years he retired as Master Chief (E-9).
He and his wife, Connie moved back to Ottumwa in 1989 to care for Bob’s mother, Ruth. While in the Navy he earned his associate’s degree from Husson College in Ellsworth, ME and later his bachelor’s of science from Buena Vista University, Ottumwa in Accounting.
He had worked for Radio Shack, H & R Block and for over 10 years at Robertson Electric, before owning and operating Bob’s Vintage Costume Jewelry.
He had been a member of East End Presbyterian Church, attended Westminster Presbyterian Church and was a member of O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion. Bob was the score keeper for many years of the OHS basketball and football games. He loved attending auctions, visiting Meskwaki Bingo Casino, going to the movies and watching football.
Surviving is his wife, Connie; their two daughters, Sarah Colleen (Travis) Almond of Roland, IA and Becky Jane (Ben McLennan) Shaw of Wellman, IA; a niece whom they counted as their “spare daughter”, Jessi Sheetz; four grandchildren, Ezra Leighton Almond, Brynn Levi Almond, Christopher Leighton McLennan and Andrew Thomas McLennan.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jane Shaw Last.
Visitation will be open after 10 a.m. Friday, September 13th at Reece Funeral Home with his family present to greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, September 14th at Reece Funeral Home with Rev. Bruce Pilcher officiating. Burial will be at Westview Cemetery in Kirkville, IA with military honors conducted by O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion and Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Memorials may be made to the Ottumwa Kitten Project or Heartland Humane Society.
