Bobby "Bob" Gerald Shaw
January 11, 1929 — September 20, 2022
Bobby “Bob” Gerald Shaw
January 11, 1929–September 20, 2022
Bobby “Bob” Gerald Shaw was born on January 11, 1929, in Charlotte, North Carolina, the beloved only child of George and Geanne Shaw. His mother was one of 13 children, so although he was an only child, he grew up with numerous first cousins whom he adored and who were like siblings to him; he returned to North Carolina every summer until well into his 80s to visit them, their children, and their grandchildren. He was a brilliant, talented student, graduating at the age of 16 from high school in Ellerbe, North Carolina, as valedictorian of his class. He graduated as a member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society, with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Wake Forest University, where he also minored in Latin. He was then drafted into the Army during the Korean War. Subsequently, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a master’s in mathematics. He traveled with cousins to Florida later that summer, fell in love with the “Sunshine State,” and began his teaching career there. He taught algebra, advanced calculus, and Latin at Pahokee High School and later at Seacrest High School (now Atlantic) from 1957–1965 where he became Department Chair. It was there that he met and fell madly in love with the beautiful, brilliant, and kind Suzanne Forsee, who was the school nurse at the time. They married on August 3, 1959, later welcoming their daughter, Melanie Elyse, and son, Gerald Grant. Bob was known as the witty mathematics professor, totally devoted to the success of his students. In 1960 he was selected as a Fellow into a prestigious mathematics Ph.D. program that took him to Yale University to study during the summers. Because his teaching career began at the early age of 20, many students have reached out to him over the past 70 years to tell him how much his teaching meant to them and their life trajectory. He finished his career at Palm Beach State College, teaching calculus, trigonometry, and college algebra, and retiring in 1998. One of the most poignant and affirming moments of his life was in November of 2021 when the Seacrest High School Class of 1965 asked that he attend their reunion banquet as the guest of honor to be recognized as one of their most beloved and impactful teachers. On his way out that evening, he received a standing ovation from his students. He was deeply moved and humbled by their acknowledgement. Bob was also a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Boynton Beach, Florida, for over 62 years. There he served as a Deacon, sang bass in the church choir, taught Sunday school, and attended weekly home bible study. He was always generous with his time, talents, “opinions,” and resources. He loved to play tennis, and up until 2020, he walked on the treadmill for 2 ½ miles per day. He was passionate about rooting for his beloved Demon Deacons on the football field. At age 90, he proudly wore his Awana t-shirt alongside Suzanne, every Wednesday, to teach 6–10-year-old children bible verses as part of that special ministry. Over the years, Bob and Suzanne traveled extensively, visiting 47 countries, including Australia, Russia, China, and Indonesia, as well as traveling across the South American and European continents. At age 85 he ziplined through the Brazilian rainforest during what would be his last major trip abroad. Bob and Suzanne were best friends, as well as devoted spouses. He loved to celebrate Suzanne on birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries with romantic cards, jewelry, and flowers. Just last month, on the occasion of their 63rd wedding anniversary, he arranged for Suzanne to receive a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and the card simply said, “With you, 63 years is not nearly long enough.” In addition to his wife, Suzanne, he dearly loved and is also survived by his Daughter, Melanie Ginn; Son-in-Law, Stace Ginn; Son, Grant Shaw; Daughter-in-Law, Kim Shaw; and three wonderful Granddaughters: Kari Shaw Fulford (Clay), Kathryn Shaw, and Kaylyn Shaw, as well as all of his “GrandPups.” Bob was widely known and respected as a man of great principal and integrity, a devoted man of faith in his Lord Jesus Christ, and a true friend to many, with a sharp sense of humor and great intellect. Although this is the end of an era for all who knew and loved him, we are so grateful for a well-lived life in abundant blessings, and for our knowledge that he is in Heaven, resting eternally in peace and joy with God. “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord.”—II Corinthians 5:8.
Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 24, 2022 Lakeview Baptist Church 2599 N Swinton Avenue | Delray Beach, FL 33444. Visitation reception to immediately follow in the Church Fellowship Hall If you would like to honor Bob’s life, in lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful that donations be made to Gospel City Church of Boynton Beach, Florida, ( www.gospelcitynow.com/give ), Samaritan’s Purse, or First Care Family Resources.
January 11, 1929–September 20, 2022
Bobby “Bob” Gerald Shaw was born on January 11, 1929, in Charlotte, North Carolina, the beloved only child of George and Geanne Shaw. His mother was one of 13 children, so although he was an only child, he grew up with numerous first cousins whom he adored and who were like siblings to him; he returned to North Carolina every summer until well into his 80s to visit them, their children, and their grandchildren. He was a brilliant, talented student, graduating at the age of 16 from high school in Ellerbe, North Carolina, as valedictorian of his class. He graduated as a member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society, with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Wake Forest University, where he also minored in Latin. He was then drafted into the Army during the Korean War. Subsequently, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a master’s in mathematics. He traveled with cousins to Florida later that summer, fell in love with the “Sunshine State,” and began his teaching career there. He taught algebra, advanced calculus, and Latin at Pahokee High School and later at Seacrest High School (now Atlantic) from 1957–1965 where he became Department Chair. It was there that he met and fell madly in love with the beautiful, brilliant, and kind Suzanne Forsee, who was the school nurse at the time. They married on August 3, 1959, later welcoming their daughter, Melanie Elyse, and son, Gerald Grant. Bob was known as the witty mathematics professor, totally devoted to the success of his students. In 1960 he was selected as a Fellow into a prestigious mathematics Ph.D. program that took him to Yale University to study during the summers. Because his teaching career began at the early age of 20, many students have reached out to him over the past 70 years to tell him how much his teaching meant to them and their life trajectory. He finished his career at Palm Beach State College, teaching calculus, trigonometry, and college algebra, and retiring in 1998. One of the most poignant and affirming moments of his life was in November of 2021 when the Seacrest High School Class of 1965 asked that he attend their reunion banquet as the guest of honor to be recognized as one of their most beloved and impactful teachers. On his way out that evening, he received a standing ovation from his students. He was deeply moved and humbled by their acknowledgement. Bob was also a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Boynton Beach, Florida, for over 62 years. There he served as a Deacon, sang bass in the church choir, taught Sunday school, and attended weekly home bible study. He was always generous with his time, talents, “opinions,” and resources. He loved to play tennis, and up until 2020, he walked on the treadmill for 2 ½ miles per day. He was passionate about rooting for his beloved Demon Deacons on the football field. At age 90, he proudly wore his Awana t-shirt alongside Suzanne, every Wednesday, to teach 6–10-year-old children bible verses as part of that special ministry. Over the years, Bob and Suzanne traveled extensively, visiting 47 countries, including Australia, Russia, China, and Indonesia, as well as traveling across the South American and European continents. At age 85 he ziplined through the Brazilian rainforest during what would be his last major trip abroad. Bob and Suzanne were best friends, as well as devoted spouses. He loved to celebrate Suzanne on birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries with romantic cards, jewelry, and flowers. Just last month, on the occasion of their 63rd wedding anniversary, he arranged for Suzanne to receive a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and the card simply said, “With you, 63 years is not nearly long enough.” In addition to his wife, Suzanne, he dearly loved and is also survived by his Daughter, Melanie Ginn; Son-in-Law, Stace Ginn; Son, Grant Shaw; Daughter-in-Law, Kim Shaw; and three wonderful Granddaughters: Kari Shaw Fulford (Clay), Kathryn Shaw, and Kaylyn Shaw, as well as all of his “GrandPups.” Bob was widely known and respected as a man of great principal and integrity, a devoted man of faith in his Lord Jesus Christ, and a true friend to many, with a sharp sense of humor and great intellect. Although this is the end of an era for all who knew and loved him, we are so grateful for a well-lived life in abundant blessings, and for our knowledge that he is in Heaven, resting eternally in peace and joy with God. “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord.”—II Corinthians 5:8.
Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 24, 2022 Lakeview Baptist Church 2599 N Swinton Avenue | Delray Beach, FL 33444. Visitation reception to immediately follow in the Church Fellowship Hall If you would like to honor Bob’s life, in lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful that donations be made to Gospel City Church of Boynton Beach, Florida, ( www.gospelcitynow.com/give ), Samaritan’s Purse, or First Care Family Resources.
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