Robert Shields

Robert L. Shields died Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at home in Bedford, NH. He was born Jan 12, 1951 in Salem, MA, the son of Robert L. and Mildred (Harris) Shields. Bob moved to North Hampton, NH at the age of 9. His first job was at Buell’s Ice Cream making a thousand gallons of ice cream a day and becoming a true ice cream connoisseur. Bob attended Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA where his entrepreneurial spirit was born. He had many interests and believed in perfecting every task he undertook. Bob never went to college, never needing to, as he was self-taught. He was a pilot flying presidential candidates and famous celebrities around. He loved New York City and spent many hours there during layovers waiting for his passengers to be ready for the return trip. He was owner/operator of a cargo flight company. He flew the virus that became known as HIV from Boston to Chicago. He flew radioactive medicines and organs cross country that was necessary for life saving procedures. Bob loved to travel, never needing a map as he was a navigator able to use the stars and an old world sextant. He was a computer programmer learning many computer languages. When he stopped flying, he worked in HVAC and realized how computers could make the systems more functional. He opened RL Shields Associates, Inc. designing, building, installing and programming electrical systems that operate computerized building controls making temperature, lighting, access and security more effective.

Bob loved baking and cake decorating and made many beautiful and novelty cakes. The holidays always meant Bob was baking delicious cakes for friends and relatives. He was an amateur radio operator and made many thousands of contacts all over the world. He was teaching himself to play piano. He couldn’t swim but he took up scuba diving. He loved to talk and never met anyone with whom he couldn’t get a conversation going. He knitted hats and scarves with computerized knitting machines which he programmed to incorporate company logos into the design. He designed and built toys for large birds. This led him to start Parrot Bonanza, a local and online company providing toys, supplies and educational tools for large bird owners. He was a projectionist at a young age at the Seacoast Drive-In and at the Civic and the Cinema in Portsmouth. He was running the movies at the Milford Drive In for 13 years. He was the voice heard over the speakers during intermission and all commentary was his own believing that humor was necessary in life.

Bob was diagnosed with glioblastoma 10 months ago and underwent surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, weeks of rehab and therapy. The last 6 months Bob spent at home in familiar surroundings in hospice care. It robbed him of his memories and his speech but it never took his kindness or his generous spirit. Rosemarie "Marie" Lones, with whom he shared his home, became his caregiver under the guidance of Pathway Hospice. Christina, Jessica and Ann were invaluable assets as we became members of a club we did not want to join.

Bob is survived by his partner and caregiver Marie, his sister, Karen Shields of Concord, NH and a brother, Martin Durham of Palm Bay, FL. He leaves a nephew, Jacob Durham in the US Navy, a niece, Katy Durham in Savannah, GA, his favorite aunt, Natalie MacLeod of Beverly, MA and several cousins and a multitude of friends. He was predeceased by his brother, Dana Shields.

ARRANGEMENTS: Bob requested no service so his wishes will be honored. Family will gather privately at their convenience to remember a wonderful man. The world has suffered a great loss.

Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Manchester. To view Robert's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit https://csnh.com.