Robert Charles Shapiro

Robert Charles Shapiro, M.D., Ph.D. Robert Charles Shapiro, M.D., Ph.D., Psychiatrist and Psychoanalyst, died on January 24, 2006. Dr. Shapiro was 81 years old and had struggled and suffered with heart disease, the cause of his death. A long-time Valley resident, Dr. Shapiro moved to Phoenix with his wife and 4 children in 1957 to be the director of the Jane Wayland Child Guidance Clinic. Additionally, he started a private practice, which he continuously practiced, in Phoenix and Scottsdale until the date of his death. Dr. Shapiro graduated from the University of Buffalo medical school in 1951. Following an internship at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, D.C., he completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Dr. Shapiro moved to Westchester County, New York where he directed a child guidance clinic and was the consultant to the Children's Court of Westchester. After moving to Arizona, Dr. Shapiro carved out time from his busy schedule and family life to fly his own airplane to Los Angeles to complete advanced training in psychoanalysis at the Southern California Psychoanalytic Institute from where he received his Ph.D. degree. Dr. Shapiro was a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a principal founder and President of the Phoenix Psychiatric Counsel, and a founding member of the Arizona State Psychiatric Society. He was an adjunct professor in psychotherapy to the Ph.D. candidates of Arizona State University, and he consulted patients for the 12 years that he taught on the ASU campus. Dr. Shapiro served in the Army Air Force in World War II in the China-Burma-India theatre. Although busy in his profession, he was past president of the Board of Trustees, Phoenix Union High School District for 5 years, and he served on the Governor's Committee on the choice of judges of the Superior Court. Dr. Shapiro is survived by his long-time companion of 26 years, Kathy Brown. Additionally, he leaves his children Jeff (Sandy), Rick (June), Ken (Katie) and Diane (Damian) Fellows; step-children, Bebe Brown (Graeme West), Clark Brown, and Emma Brown; five grandchildren; one great-grandson; brother Richard; sister Faye Kalman; and his former wife Edith. A memorial service will be held at 9 am on Sunday, January, 29 at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 East Indian School Road, Scottsdale. A reception celebrating his life will be held at home Sunday afternoon from 4 until 7. The family suggests that any donation should be made in Dr. Shaprio's name to The President's Community Enrichment Program, P.O. Box 2260, Tempe, AZ 85280.

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