Douglas Charles Shaw, a well known, retired architect, died quietly at his Borrego Springs, Calif., home on July 27, 2007. He was 70.
Mr. Shaw had spent much of his career working in Idaho and living in Sun Valley. He was known for his work on such projects as the original Elkhorn Resort, built in 1972.
In recent years, Doug was often seen riding around Ketchum/Sun Valley on his three-wheel trike with his faithful dog, Sunny, in the basket, under a bright yellow umbrella.
Born Sept. 4, 1936, in Boise, Mr. Shaw spent his youth in the Sunland-Tujunga neighborhood in Los Angeles County. He graduated from Verdugo Hills High School then joined the U.S. Navy.
As a sailor in the 1950s, Mr. Shaw served aboard the USS Curtiss, a floating atomic laboratory that took scientists to Antarctica, Bikini Island, and other destinations to observe atomic bomb explosions. At the age of 18, Mr. Shaw began to experience symptoms of what was later diagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic and painful form of arthritis. After three years in the Navy, Mr. Shaw returned to the United States and earned a degree in architectural engineering from California State Polytechnic College at San Luis Obispo in 1961. He became a licensed architect in California, Idaho and Colorado.
Mr. Shaw is survived by his sisters, Susan Macias of Valley Springs, Calif., and Nora Hartsfield of Mt. Vernon, Wash. He is also survived by many, many friends and colleagues who loved and respected him. He is remembered as a man with great taste, a love of art, openness to new ideas and a quick smile, who never stopped learning and going places in spite of lifetime of severe arthritis. He was a great inspiration to all of his friends.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, at the Ketchum Cemetery. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Wood River Chapel at (208) 788-2244.
