Arthur Shaw Obituary

Arthur Alan "Artie" Shaw passed away on the afternoon of September 16, 2017, at the age of 88 from Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Artie was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 27, 1929, to Samuel and Esther (Levy) Shaw (Swirsky). He was raised as an only child although his parents had several other children that died at or shortly after birth.

Artie graduated from Midwood High School in Brooklyn, NY, as Class Actor in 1947. He earned his BA in Psychology from Brooklyn College in 1952. Soon after, he drove west to work as a firewatcher in a 50-ft observation tower in Kaniksu National Forest in northern Idaho for the summer. Then, he settled in Kansas to attend graduate school at the KU Psychology Dept. where he earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1968. He spent the rest of his life-more than 65 years--in Lawrence, Kansas.

While completing his Ph.D., Artie worked in various training programs/internships or as a psychologist at the Kansas School for the Deaf ('55-'56); at the Topeka VA ('57-'58); at the Leavenworth VA ('58-'59); at the Topeka VA Medical Center ('60); at the Leavenworth VA Medical Center ('61); and at the Franklin County Guidance Center in Ottawa ('61-'66). He was then hired as a staff psychologist at the Leavenworth VA ('67-'88). In 1980, he exposed misuse of research medications for patients that did not meet protocol requirements. In May, 1981, a KC Star investigation confirmed that research medications had been used improperly for some time.

One of Artie's passions was National Parks. He visited all 59 US National Parks and more than 400 national historic sites in the US and Canada. Artie volunteered for many local organizations: Lawrence Friends of the Library, Lawrence Area Clergy; Douglas County Advocacy Council on Aging; Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation; and served as a board member of Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC).

Artie is survived by his partner Julie Trowbridge-Alford; five children and spouses: Debbie Shaw Schwartz (Ron); Alan Shaw (Gin Myers); Risa Shaw (Sharon Gervasoni); Leah Shaw Fen (Michael); Jennifer Shaw (Tim Peltier) and seven grandchildren: Aaron Shaw; Casey and Haley Shaw; Allie, McCall, Jamil and Kiana Fen. Artie was married and preceded in death by Jean Lois Rabinowitz and Sandra Jane Cote.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the organizations for which Artie volunteered. Donations may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.