Obituary of Mark Shaw

Mark D. Shaw, 90, of State College, died on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at Foxdale Village, State College, PA. The only child of the late Mark R. and Alma Dodds Shaw, he was born on August 22, 1924, in Karuizawa, Japan, where his parents were working as missionaries. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, the former Mary Dearden (Mardy). Also surviving are five children, Karen Snare of Verbank, NY; Betsy Wells and husband, Tony, of Fairport, N.Y; Craig Shaw and wife, Eileen O'Connor, of Seattle, WA; Jennifer Nikel and husband, Andrew, of West Caldwell, N.J; and Richard Shaw and wife, Patricia Milford, of Pittsburgh PA; six grandchildren, Chris Wells, Doug Wells and wife Wendi, Kate Snare, Eric Snare and wife Jazmine Carroll; Ben Nikel, Peter Nikel and two great grandchildren, Hagen and Parker Wells. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a grandson, Carl Snare. After the family's return from Japan, he grew up in Massachusetts, then attended Earlham College, where he received a degree in Sociology. After one year studying Divinity and Chinese at Yale, he spent four years working in China with the American Friends Service Committee. He returned to the US and studied Agricultural Engineering at Penn State, where he received his BS and MS degrees. He was an Associate Professor of Agricultural Engineering at Penn State for many years. He spent four years in Pune, India, with a Penn State/USAID Agricultural Program Team. After retiring, he was involved in projects that took him, among other places, to China, Armenia and Bolivia. He had many interests. He particularly enjoyed photography and woodworking. He and Mardy raised their family in a five bedroom house that he built himself. He was a member of State College (PA) Friends Meeting for 64 years. He was very involved with the founding of the State College Friends School and served on its first Board of Directors. A Memorial Service is tentatively scheduled for March. Arrangements will be announced when complete. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to State College Friends School, 1900 University Drive, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Face Book.