Robert Shaw Jr.

ROBERT SHAW JR.

Cedar Rapids

Robert "Bob" E. Shaw Jr., 88, of Orlando, Fla., died Nov. 21, 2015.

He was born in Peoria, Ill., to Charlotte and Robert E. Shaw Sr. on April 6, 1927. He and his wife, Betty, were married 66 years.

Robert graduated from Manual Training High School, where he met Betty while performing in a school talent show. He briefly attended the University of Illinois, but his ambition was to pursue his passion as a professional salesman. His career began in the medical and veterinary field and in 1948, he relocated to Iowa.

In 1959, as an entrepreneur, he established Veterinarian Specialties, a veterinary drug and supply company. In the following years his business was renamed Vescor. He then purchased several Midwest veterinary supply companies and Pioneer Veterinary Supply in Houston, Texas. In 1975, the Shaws moved to Orlando, Fla., and started a division of Vescor.

Bob was a member of the Orlando Downtown Lions Club and a member of Lions for over 50 years. He served as president of the Orlando club several years.

He retired from his business in 1986 and he and Betty began their passion for traveling. Their travels included visiting 290 of the national parks and monuments, and numerous cruises, including trips to Hawaii and Alaska. Robert enjoyed fishing, which included 30 trips to Canada, as well as fishing in Panama, Mexico and Costa Rica.

While still residing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Bob was a member of the planning committee to establish a mission church, Our Saviors Lutheran Church. They were members at this vibrant, beautiful church for 26 years. During these years their three daughters were baptized, confirmed and married.

Bob loved the Lord and gave generously of his time, talent and treasures to the church and other benevolent organizations.

While in Iowa, he was a board member of the Muscatine Lutheran Home and EWALU Christian youth camp. Following Bob and Betty's move to Florida, they became faithful members of St. John Lutheran Church in Winter Park. For several years he was God's faithful servant as church property manager, board member of Lutheran Counseling Services, as well as other instrumental roles in the church.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Shaheen, and a sister, Barbara Shaw.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; two daughters, Christine Chavez of Sarasota, Fla., and Lisa Steding of Orlando, Fla.; six grandchildren, Robert Shaheen, DeLonne Whipple, Terra Sterlace, Justin Chavez and Audra and Dawnelle Steding; great-grandchildren, Brianna, Jacob and Nadia Sigler, Brielle and Serena Sterlace, Tayler and Dayne Whipple and Minta Shaheen; a brother, Millard (Lu) Shaw of Bartonville, Ill.; and a sister, Joanne (John) Beale of Canton, Ill.

He will be interred at Woodlawn Memorial Park. A memorial service will take place at St. John Lutheran Church, 1600 South Orlando Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789, on Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be given to St. John Lutheran Church, Lutheran Counseling Services and Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids.