Robert Shaw

Robert Shaw, one of our elders, died suddenly but peacefully in his own home at 17 Quarry Street, Coatbridge, on the 9th January 2001.

Robert, who was always known as Bob, was ordained to the eldership in Maxwell Parish Church in 1971 and served Maxwell in his own quiet and faithful way until an heart attack and increasing ill health sadly curtailed his ability to take part in the active work of the Kirk Session and the eldership.

After service during the war in the army Bob returned to civilian life to develop the engineering skills he had learned in the forces and became a service engineer with Shanks & McEwan, covering many sites in the Lanarkshire area.

He was a gardener and enjoyed tending his garden and producing plants and tomatoes in his greenhouse, though in latter years his health meant that he had to confine himself to the lighter tasks around the garden.

He was a keen bowler and enjoyed the fellowship that he found on the bowling green. The Men’s Club of St Andrew’s Church was an extension of this, and though he was content to sit and watch, the friendship and humour of the Men’s Club were greatly enjoyed by him and he was able to attend the Club until a few weeks before his death.

Bob was a quiet man who loved a run in the car through the Trossachs, a trip to Rothsay or a visit to Ettrick Bay to enjoy the views across the Clyde to arran. He enjoyed reading in the peace of his own home. But above all he was a family man and their help and support to him were a great strength and joy to him.

Today we remember his service to the church as an elder and give thanks for all that he gave to the church in his own quiet way.

Our sympathy and our prayers are for his widow Grace and his daughter Janice, that they may know the comfort of faith and the sure hope of Christ.