Obituary of Robert J. Shields

Robert Jay Shields died Monday, May 21, 2018, at Oak Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wayne. He was 53.

Born in New Brunswick to the late Robert J. and Jacqueline V. (Sullivan) Shields he was a lifelong North Brunswick resident. Bob was a graduate of North Brunswick Township High School and Middlesex County College. He worked as a coordinator in the engineering department of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority in Woodbridge for 29 years.

Bob was a team member of the United States Olympians and Paralympians. He was a fierce competitor on the shooting team and participated in the 2000 Sydney, 1996 Atlanta and 1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games. He was also a member of the New Jersey Wheelchair Sports shooting team.

He was a communicant of Our Lady of Peace R.C. Church in North Brunswick. He was the 1972 poster boy for the Middlesex County Chapter of the March of Dimes.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by brothers – William P. Hartwig and Thomas R.Hartwig; and by his sister Shirley Terwilliger. Surviving are two brothers – Raymond Hartwig and his wife Lynn of Totowa and Kenneth Hartwig of North Brunswick; his brother-in-law Bruce; a sister-in-law Gretel; and nieces and nephews – Buddy, Shannon Hartwig, Jacqueline Spitz and Paul Stevens.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at Selover Funeral Home, 555 Georges Road, North Brunswick. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Burial Park, South Brunswick. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 29, 2018 from 2 PM to 4 PM and 6 PM to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Spina Bifida Association, 1600 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22209 or to United States Olympians and Paralympians Association, United States Olympic Committee, 1 Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909.