Donald Shaw

Donald Shaw was born on December 19, 1935, in Oldham, Manchester England.

The eldest of three children of James and Emily Shaw, Donald grew up in Chadderton, during the years of the Depression, the Second World War, rationing, scarcity, and finally the rebuilding that followed. His siblings Irene and James were born soon after him, and the three were each others' companions.

An Englishman in his heart all his life, the valiant service of American soldiers during WWII cemented in him a deep love of America that lasted the rest of his days. His own father's service during the war was also a point of pride.

In 1952, at age 16, he entered into an aerospace engineering apprenticeship with A.V. Roe & Co. (Avro, later Hawker Siddeley Aviation). While employed there, he completed an engineering degree at Bristol University. He rode a motorcycle home to visit his parents and siblings when he could.

In the 1960s, his work took him around the world: from the UK to India, where he saw the Taj Mahal, to Egypt, where he rode a camel at the great pyramids, and Nigeria - where his sister Irene's family lived then - in time to witness the birth of his nephew, David. He took hundreds of photographs of his travels.


Returning to Manchester, he met a young woman named Barbara, with whom he'd eventually share a future in America.

American aerospace firm Northrop (later Northrop Grumman) recruited Donald in 1968 to join them in California. A long career with Northrop followed, during which time he worked on planes like the famous 747, the F-5 and T-38 fighter aircraft, the F-20 and YF-23 Advanced Tactical Fighter prototypes, and finally the B-2 "Spirit" Stealth Bomber. His work took him briefly to Taiwan in the '80s.

On arriving in California in 1968, he re-encountered Barbara, who'd emigrated separately with her mother, Florence. Renewing their acquaintance, he asked Barbara to marry him, and they wed aboard S.S. Princess Louise in 1971. Two children followed, Justine and Andrew, along with Barbara's beloved pets, who also became beloved of Donald, despite his allergies.


In 1980, he and Barbara together proudly became US citizens.

He was a patriot who loved deeply both his country of birth, and his chosen homeland.

He developed a strong interest in fitness as he aged, power-walking 6.5 miles a day, three times a week, from his home in Torrance to Malaga Cove and back. Sometimes his long walks took him to the beach. He exercised and ate sensibly. Six days a week, he went to lunch at his favorite diner, Spires on Hawthorne, where he loved the staff, and they loved him. He had half of whatever he ordered, and took the other half home for later. He was in the best shape of maybe anyone he knew, and it was often remarked he looked and seemed twenty years younger than he was.

Donald was exceedingly modest, practical, and sensible. He was private about his accomplishments. His knack for numbers served him well and he happily shared what he had learned with others. He was generous, self-sacrificing, and totally selfless.

His dry, English, sense of humor gave him a love of wit in comedy. Though quiet by nature, he could be disarmingly funny.

He never lost his curiosity about and love of technology, installing Ubuntu Linux on his computer, in his 80s. He loved his cellphone and listened to podcasts.

In his long life he traveled, accomplished extraordinary things, suffered personal tragedies, celebrated with friends and family, saw the world change, and change again.

He loved and participated in nature, building a beautiful garden with Barbara. He didn't get to do everything he wanted in his time; the needs of those close to him came first. No sailboat that he'd always dreamed of, no beautiful home in Florida. But he saw the sun and felt the fresh air each day. Out on his long walks, he was free again as that young man he had been, riding a motorcycle home through the north of England seven decades earlier.


Donald passed away suddenly at the age of 86, on the 22nd of October 2022, at Torrance Memorial Hospital.

He is preceded in death by his beloved Barbara, lost to cancer in 2015, just shy of 44 years of marriage.

He is survived by Barbara's brother Bernard of Torrance and Bernard's three children: Tracey and Steve in the UK, Julie in the United States, and each of their families; by Donald's sister Irene and her husband Brian of England, and their children Carolyn in Australia and David in Scotland, and their families; by Linda, widow of his brother James who died in 1992, and their two children; by daughter Justine and son Andrew in the United States; by dear friends and family on three continents.

He didn't want to be mourned. The world seems dimmer for his passing - less witty, less generous, less charming and smart; but simultaneously richer for his having been, for all fortunate enough to have known him, as each of us carries a piece of who he was forwards with us within our hearts.

If you ever find yourself watching a plane in the sky, and marvel at how humanity could accomplish such a thing, it's people like Donald who did it for us. As he did so much else for those who knew him.

Rest, Donald. Build a new garden, together again with Barbara, in a new, brighter place. We hope you're sailing now. We love you, and always will.