David H. Shaw, longtime owner of Nenana Heating Services and community advocate, died January 31, 2026, in Anchorage after a short illness. He was 82.

He was born David Harrel Shaw Feb. 12, 1943 in Eureka, KS, to Wilson Harrel and Elizabeth Ruth Williams Shaw, the third of nine children.

David grew up on a farm near Eureka, attending a one-room school through eighth grade, then attending Eureka High School. He attended Midland Lutheran College and the University of Kansas, before graduating from Emporia State University in 1965 with a bachelor's degree in education and social science.

Also in 1964 he met his future wife, Nancy Messick, and the two were married the following January.

David taught for two years in Seneca, KS, before leaving in late summer 1967 to accept a teaching position in Nenana. After 2.5 years, he began work in construction and operating a sawmill. He also earned his private pilot's license.

His first business was Wilderness Builders, partnering with Don Loesche, in constructing log homes. In 1972, he joined friend Jack Forness as a partner in Nenana Standard Heating Services. The firm was the Chevron jobber, situated on the Tanana River in Nenana. The business soon grew with the addition of more services. At the request of Chevron, the firm's name was soon changed to Nenana Heating Services, Inc. Convenience stores later became another business endeavor through the acquisition and building of outlets in Nenana, Cantwell, Healy and Ester.

David also found time to construct a log home for himself, Nancy and their two sons, moving in the late summer of 1974 - a memorable date because of a summer frost that year. It was his home until he died.

He was actively involved with the Nenana Tortella Council on Aging from its inception and remained a board member. He lobbied to establish a medical clinic in Nenana, and rallied for the Valleys Borough, working to keep Nenana separate from the North Star and Denali boroughs. He was always interested in politics and history - taking his questioning mind to encyclopedias for information. He never embraced the electronic world - scoffing at e-mail and text messages - but never objected when others shared digital information.

David loved the outdoors. He loved flying, making many trips to Manley Hot Springs and his moose-hunting camp on the Melozitna River.

David is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons Aaron and Benjamin; two sisters, Marcia (Geoff) Dahlman and Patricia Shaw, and two brothers, Paul Shaw and Alan (Kathie) Shaw.

He was preceded in death by four siblings, Beth, Darrel, Curtis and Rosalie.

A Celebrations of Life is planned for 1 PM, Thursday, February 19, at the Civic Center in Nenana, A memorial service will be held at 11 AM Saturday, March 7, at Christ Lutheran Church in Eureka, KS. Pastor Sue Ellen Wenthe and Reverend Patricia Shaw will be presiding and preaching respectively.

Published by Daily News-Miner on Feb. 11, 2026.