Peter Dickinson Shaw

Peter Dickinson Shaw, of Carlisle, passed away Thursday, October 31 at UPMC Carlisle Hospital at the age of 66. Born on January 23, 1958, he was the loving husband of Bonnie (Tweedy) Shaw, with whom he celebrated 21 years of marriage September 21.

Peter was known for his quick wit, immense intelligence, wicked sense of humor … and especially his signature red hair and beard. He always had a twinkle in his deep blue eyes. He knew his way around a vodka tonic and a dirty martini and couldn’t be beaten at Trivia games. Peter was a voracious reader, loving swashbuckling sea stories, science fiction, tales of Middle Earth, biographies of great men, and historical tomes of ancient civilizations. He read the newspaper every day and was always up on current events.

He was born in Ankara, Turkey, to then Captain Donald Palmer Shaw and Joan Ferrall Shaw. His Father was an aide to an American General in Turkey and his Mother was an Admiral’s daughter. The eldest of the family, he was joined by two younger brothers and the group lived the mobile life of a military family. Peter’s family lived in Germany; Seattle, Washington; Boston, Massachusetts; Ft Knox, Kentucky; West Point, New York eventually landing in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Peter Graduated from Carlisle High School in 1976. He earned a Bachelor Degree from Penn State Harrisburg campus.

As a young boy, on one of the family’s many trips across the country, Peter got lost at the St. Louis Zoo, where he met a little blond girl who was also lost. His future wife Bonnie remembers she was lost in the same zoo at the same time. Did the two meet then? Perhaps.

But what is certain is that thirty years later they met in Carlisle and became friends. That friendship eventually turned to a deep, total and abiding love. Peter and Bonnie were inseparable until the end. He died peacefully at the Carlisle hospital after a long, hard and valiant battle with cancer. He passed listening to his favorite music and holding Bonnie’s hand.

He is survived by his great love, and wife of 21 years, Bonnie Tweedy Shaw; his mother Joan F. Shaw; brothers David F. Shaw (wife Patricia) and William Palmer Shaw (wife Linda); lots of nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Colonel Donald P Shaw.

 His dog Dewey and cat Chumley are also deeply grieving his loss.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoffman Funeral & Cremation, 2020 W. Trindle Rd., Carlisle, PA 17013.