- Date Of Birth: September 26, 1921
- Date Of Death: August 25, 2011
- State: Colorado
Robert Charles Shaw, 89, of Highlands Ranch, CO, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2011. Robert was a WWII veteran, 8th Air Force, Ball Turret Gunner (London). After honorable discharge he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with 25 completed missions.
The following words honoring Robert’s life were written by his grandson and name sake Robert Gregory Shaw:
1921 felt a lot like hell
Nobody is working, the world’s not well
Only water in the morning, no money to speak
Papa only made twelve dollars a week.
My sister Jean would always say
“You’re a smart boy, you’ll make it someday.”
Sick of being hungry and tired of being poor
I mustered up my courage and I joined the world war.
I was just a kid, too stupid to be scared.
I was just a kid and I never thought I cared.
I was just a kid trying to understand,
What it took to be a man.
In London we arrived on the air strip scene
And they strapped me to the bottom of a B-17
Berlin was the target on the pilots course
Twenty five missions in the 8th Air Force
Leather on my back, .50 CAL in my hand
Up in the clouds with the cold and the wind
Had to do our part, help the U.S.A.
Brings tears to my eyes when I think about that day
Did my full tour and they sent me home
Ended up in Atlantic City, all alone
Uncle Sam put money in my pocket, Truman sent me a letter
I was treated like a king, or maybe better
Stopped in Denver with no job to say
Until I started working for the C.C.A.
Big Mountain Lions leaving their heard dead
For all cats killed, I got fifty bucks a head.
Life did change, can’t forget the memory
Of bringing home my son Gregory.
Gave him the best my pride and joy
Couldn’t have asked for a better boy.
We had hard times in the years to come
When Greg’s mother left for God’s kingdom
We made it through, and he’s now a father himself
With a family of his own, all in good health.
Real Estate loans is where I found my career
Working the deals to earn me what’s dear
Ask me and I’ll laugh but it isn’t really funny
Over the years, I made a lot of money.
I cannot find words, she is too close and dear
The sound of her voice was like music to my ears
My loving wife up until my last day
Was a blessing in my life, Alice is her name.
Robert G. Shaw
Robert is survived by his loving wife, Alice Shaw, his son Gregory Shaw, grandsons Robert Gregory Shaw and Michael Allen Shaw, his sister Jean Coombs and nieces Connie Hansen and Katie Brilhart.
