LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Robert D. Shields, heroic
World War II veteran, elite paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division,
and devoted family man

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Robert Daniel Shields of Tappan, New York, died on Sunday,
January 17, 2010, at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, Born on August 2, 1920, to Robert A. and Lillian Parsels
Shields in Sparkill, New York, Robert D. Shields graduated from Tappan
Zee High School, in Piermont, New York, in June of 1939; and
WHEREAS, This brave World War II soldier was among the elite para-
troopers of the 82nd Airborne Division known as "pathfinders"; on the
eve of the Normandy Invasion, June 5, 1944, his responsibility was to
parachute behind German lines in France in preparation for D-Day, the
Allied attack that proved a turning point in the War; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Robert D. Shields was awarded numerous military
decorations including: two Bronze Stars with "V" device for valor, the
Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and Senior Army Parachute wings with
two combat stars; and
WHEREAS, Upon cessation of hostilities, Lieutenant Robert D. Shields
was assigned to General Dwight D. Eisenhower's Honor Guard; when he
returned to Sparkill, New York, in January of 1946, he became an Army
Reservist assigned to Company A, an engineer company in the 860th
Aviation Engineer Battalion where he continued to serve for 16 years;
and
WHEREAS, After leaving the service, Robert D. Shields began work in
1946, at Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, New York, until December
of 1980; prior to departing for military service, he met Mae E. Thomp-
son, first president of the union at Lederle; he joined the Army in 1942
and married Mae on August 22, 1943, before he deployed to the United
Kingdom to prepare for the D-Day invasion; and
WHEREAS, Sadly, Mrs. Mae E. Shields preceded him in death in 1998; and
WHEREAS, He started his esteemed career as a carpenter, and was even-
tually promoted to Department Head for Plant Maintenance and later to
Plant Sanitation Manager; and
WHEREAS, It was in 1952, that Robert D. Shields began a part time
career with the Rockland County Sheriff's Department, serving with
distinction as a firearms instructor and training officer; he went on to
attain the title of Senior Firearms Instructor with the Police Academy;
and
WHEREAS, Robert D. Shields was still active as an officer in 2008,
holding the rank of Sergeant; he held the distinction of the longest
standing officer in the history of the Rockland County Sheriff's Depart-
ment for 56 years; and
WHEREAS, Robert D. Shields' commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, His interests and associations after the War included a six
year stint as a pilot and commander of the 1st Civil Air Patrol Squadron
in Blauvelt, New York; throughout this period, he continued to enjoy
skydiving and accumulated just over 300 parachute jumps; and
WHEREAS, He worked tirelessly to promote gun safety and was a strong
advocate of wildlife conservation; in May of 2006, the New York State
Fish and Wildlife Board presented Robert D. Shields with a Certificate

recognizing him for more than 40 years of faithful service to the Board
and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Robert D. Shields was the recipient of well over
50 distinguished service awards and Certificates of Appreciation from
the many organizations he has represented including a Certificate of
Special Congressional Recognition; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, Robert A. and Lillian Parsels
Shields; a brother, George Shields; and a sister, Eleanor Stroud, Robert
D. Shields is survived by Mrs. Barbara Shields, who he married on Decem-
ber 7, 2001; three children, Colonel (Retired) Robert G. Shields, Carol
A. Laskos and Debra R. Morano; two sisters, Ruth Dizzine and Etta
Behrens; two step-children, Susan D. Shields Furchak and Frances M.
Shields Dedeian; four grandchildren, Captain Sean Shields, SSG Robert D.
Shields, Cadet (West Point) Terrence H. Shields, and Ameila M. Shields;
two great-grandchildren, Robert G. and Adrianna Shields; and two step-
grandchildren, Michaila Furchak and Lily Dedeian; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Robert D. Shields leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Robert D. Shields, heroic World War II veteran, elite
paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division, and devoted family man; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Robert D. Shields.