John Shaw passed away in Carmichael, California on January 7, 2020. Born in Geneva, Illinois to John and Virginia Shaw on December 6, 1928, he had turned 91 just one month earlier. Predeceased by his sister, Josephine Shaw Mills '50, he is survived by his wife, Ann and daughters Lynn De Sa, Shawnee Burger, Dana Shaw and Susan De Martini; a brother, Bill Shaw '48, seven grandchildren as well as numerous step children.

John graduated from South Pasadena High School in 1946 and then attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo before obtaining an Associate degree in Industrial Technology in 1950 at John Muir College, Pasadena. Inducted into the Army during the early months of the Korean conflict, he served over the next couple of years at Fort Ord, California as well as Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Upon discharge from the military, he spent 25 years in Production Control management at Avon Products in Pasadena, all the while helping to raise four lovely girls with his second wife, Carol Ann. After retiring from the cosmetics industry, he moved to the northwest with third wife, Ann and settled in Beaverton, Oregon where they lived for ten years before returning to California and the Sacramento area to be near his children.

A Celebration of Life in John's honor was held in late January at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. His fascination with trains, railroad history and photography began during the World War II years while at SPHS. Through these interests and as a result of many years of train chasing, he had become a well- known figure in the railroad community. He was not only an avid fan and accomplished photographer, but also a good friend to many others with a similar interest. His enormous collection of images were recorded before and during a time of important change in the industry:  the transition from steam to diesel power.

His photographic legacy endures through the enormous collection of images shot over a span of 70 years and which he gifted to the Southern Pacific Historical & Technical Society where a library of his work will be created.

Bill Shaw '48