Tributes have been paid to the ‘gentle giant’ chairman of a historical society.
Richard Shaw, chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society, died on Wednesday, February 22, aged 76.
He was the society’s longest-serving chair and frequently gave talks on two of his favourite subjects, the Battle of Worcester itself and the Napoleonic wars.
The society’s vice chair, Daniel Daniels, said: “The whole society is deeply saddened by the death of Richard.
“It was a shock to all of us, I had been speaking with him earlier this week.
“He was a real gentleman, I don’t say that about many people but he really was a lovely individual.
“He was also a powering force of the society and a tall chap, a gentle giant.
“The society sends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family.”
READ MORE: Worcestershire Cricket Society chair dies aged 76
As a mark of respect, next Tuesday's Annual General Meeting, February 28, of the society has been postponed.
Reflecting on Richard’s contribution to the Battle of Worcester Society, Mr Daniels said: “He was a true stalwart and the driving force of the society.
“We hold talks every month at the Commandery which are very well attended and that was very much down to Richard and his wife Christine.
“He also helped us expand our membership and raised the profile of the society.”
Mr Daniels continued: “I joined not that long ago, a few years back, and he just made everyone very welcome, whether you were a guest speaker, a member of the society or a member of the public.
“What is devastating is we have a number of high-profile events this year and it is just tragic he is not going to be here for them.”
Richard’s other passion was cricket and he was Chairman of the Worcestershire Cricket Society and a lifelong supporter of the Pears, as well as West Bromwich Albion.
He served a distinguished career as a police officer in the West Mercia Police, where he met his wife Christine, and retired in 1997 as Chief Inspector.
He then spent 11 years working as a civilian claims investigator for the force.
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