Obituary: Eric Shaw, 58, USCG Ret.

Dr. Eric John Shaw, Captain, USCG (ret.) 58, of Newport, RI, died unexpectedly at home Tuesday, March 29, 2016.

He was the husband of Adrienne Corbeille Shaw and the very proud father of Erin Rene Shaw. Born in Tulsa, OK, on August 1, 1957, Eric is the son of Kathleen Sweeney Shaw of Alexandria, VA, and the late John Reese Shaw.

Professor Shaw joined the faculty of the Naval War College in Newport following his retirement from the U.S. Coast Guard as Captain of “America’s Tall Ship” Coast Guard Barque EAGLE. His Coast Guard career also included assignments as Commanding Officer of the CGCutter LEGARE and Executive Officer of CGC NORTHLAND in Portsmouth, VA; operations officer of CGC SENECA in Boston, MA; and combat information officer of CGC JARVIS, Honolulu, HI.

Dr. Shaw earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech University, holds a Master of Science degree in Operations Research from the University of New Haven, CT, a Master of Arts degree In National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, and a Ph.D. in Humanities from Salve Regina University. His Ph.D. dissertation was titled “Controls on Developing Technology: U.S. Commercial Air Transportation during the Interwar Period, 1919-1939.” In December, he completed the coursework for a Master of Arts degree in History from the University of Rhode Island, and was studying for his comprehensive exams this spring semester.

Professor Shaw has also been serving as adjunct professor in the graduate program at Salve Regina University and is a guest lecturer for several community and educational organizations.

Eric’s positive spirit, humor, knack for great sea stories, and intellectual curiosity was respected and enjoyed by many in his community. He has been serving on the Board of Directors of Tall Ships America and of the Potter League for Animals, volunteering at Newport Hospital with Squall, his golden retriever, in the pet therapy program; recording local osprey activity for the Audubon Society of RI, and volunteering at the Foster Parrots Rescue and Adoption Sanctuary in Hope Valley, RI.

Eric’s musical talent was enjoyed by good friends singing Christmas carols around the piano each December, and by neighbors listening to songs played on the concertina from his back yard. We have lost a loving husband and father, a good man with a big heart who gave so much to so many.

Besides his wife, daughter and mother, Eric leaves his brother Kevin Shaw, sister-in-law Suzanne and nephew Reese Shaw of Colorado Springs, CO.

Eric’s funeral service will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 12 William Street, Newport, RI, on Monday, April 4th at 12:00 pm. Burial will be private.

In place of flowers, donations in Eric’s memory may be made to Tall Ships America, P.O. Box 1459, Newport, RI, 02840 (www.sailtraining.org) or Foster Parrots, P.O. Box 650, Rockland, MA 02370 (www.fosterparrots.com).