Robert McKay Shields

Robert McKay Shields

Architect

4-24-1917 ~ 7-1-2012

"One of the Grand Old Men in Northwest Architecture" was how Pacific Northwest Magazine referred to Robert McKay Shields in 1986. Bob died on Sunday, July 1, 2012, at age 95. A graduate of the University of Washington's School of Architecture in 1941, his work helped develop the regional version of Modernism that has been called the "Northwest Style" of architecture. From 1946 to 1951 Bob was a partner with Bert Tucker and Roland Terry in Tucker, Shields & Terry, Architects. Tucker & Shields, Architects, followed until 1964, after which -- and long into retirement age for most people -- Bob practiced as Robert M. Shields, Architect. Tucker, Shields & Terry were the architects of Canlis Restaurant, an early and accessible example of the Northwest Style.

Bob designed over one hundred homes in Seattle and throughout the Northwest. Other projects included the Century 21 SkyRide terminals, the Thunderbird Restaurant and Saint Bernard Chapel at the Snoqualmie Pass ski area, the KIRO Radio & TV Station (Queen Anne) and several retail stores. One of Bob's last large projects (1977) was the Newton Place Condominium on North Capitol Hill, an excellent example of how his design philosophy evolved over his long career. For many projects he was also the interior designer.

Bob was an occasional lecturer at the UW in both the School of Architecture and of Art. He was a member Tau Sigma Delta Honorary Fraternity in Architecture and Allied Arts and was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi Medal in 1941. Some of his architectural drawings are already housed at the University Library's Special Collections Division.

Bob had many interests in his very full life. He was a member of the Seattle Art Museum's Asian Art Council and traveled extensively on their tours, as well as with other friends. He was friends and an occasional patron of many who helped shape art in the northwest, such as Zo Dusanne, Don Foster, Morris Graves, Mark Tobey and Kenneth Callahan. In the late 1940s, along with other enthusiastic potters, he was active in the Seattle Clay Club. In the 1960s he was part of the "Bonsai Bums," which evolved into the Puget Sound Bonsai Society, in which he was also active.

Bob spent most of his life on Seattle's Capitol Hill, although over the years he also had homes on Lopez and Whidbey Islands. An avid collector, Bob filled his life with Northwest paintings, Native American art, antique Chinese porcelain and Georgian silver and glass, as well as with simple things like a special piece of driftwood or a stone worn by the tide. He enjoyed long personal and professional friendships with lighting designer Irene McGowan and with interior designer Jean Jonegeward. And, over the years Bob enjoyed antiquing and making wine with his long-time neighbor and buddy Dr. Bob Wilkus. With so many interests, it was not uncommon for "Shields," as many close friends called him, to confess from time to time that..."it got away from me." Such was the case when his bonsais, left on their own, became a forest next to the Japanese Garden he developed at his Whidbey Island home.

Bob was born in Rexburg, Idaho, although his family moved to Seattle when he was young. He graduated from Garfield High School in 1936, and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He is predeceased by parents Ernest Shields and Mona Choquette, brother Eugene Shields, sister Mona Marie Shields and nephew Christopher Hanson. He is survived by niece Patricia Hanson, nephew Craig Hanson and half-sister Diane Glew.

At Bob's direction there will be no memorial service. It is suggested that remembrances be sent to the Seattle Asian Art Museum.