Donald K. Shaw

SURPRISE – Donald K.Shaw, PT, PhD, D.Min. Dr. Donald K. Shaw, of Surprise, Arizona, stepped into glory to meet his Savior face to face, on February 20, 2023. He was born May 25, 1947 in Yakima, Washington to Eugene Leigh Shaw and Bernice (Gerhardt) Shaw. Don is survived by his beloved wife, best friend and soul-mate of nearly 30 years, Mary Bleve (Hegi) Shaw, and a host of friends and fellow academicians. Fly fishing the lakes and ponds of Washington State was his recreational passion. In his younger years he was active in the martial arts and gymnastics; he was the Inland Empire still rings champion in 1967. Don graduated from Eisenhower High School and attended Yakima Valley Community College. A distinguished scholar, Dr. Shaw earned five higher education degrees: Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Physical Education, George Williams College, Downers Grove Illinois; Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas; Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise Physiology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio; and Doctor of Ministry, Southern Evangelical Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Shaw was a retired Professor of Physical Therapy at Franklin Pierce University in Goodyear, Arizona having served as Professor of Physical Therapy at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona prior to this appointment. Before moving to Arizona, Dr. Shaw was Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at Texas State University where he developed and directed an innovative Telerehabilitation Program. He was formerly Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. Dr. Shaw also served as Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee and as Adjunct Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Shaw was a fellow and former board member of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. He was also a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and an associate member of the American College of Cardiology. During his career, he lectured and presented research throughout the world including Argentina, Scotland, Ireland, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Peoples Republic of China. During his 47 years as an academician, he received over one million dollars in research grant funding. Although Dr. Shaw enjoyed being an educator and a physical therapist, his true passion was for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As a Christian apologist, he was active as an evangelist, speaker, and teacher. We believe he was ushered into eternity hearing his Lord’s personal greeting: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Donations in his memory may be made to Southern Evangelical Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina.