Robert Shephard of Orlando, Florida passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 19th, 2018 at of age of 88. Bob was born on June 30th, 1930 in Boston, Massachusetts. He started his career in the Navy after graduating with honors from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, then worked for the next 60+ years in a variety of rewarding and interrelated fields: Electrical engineer for Westinghouse, President of his own business, executive with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sea Grant Program, consultant with the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, volunteer mentor for the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and mentor for the National Entrepreneur Center (NEC).
Over the last 20 years he also served in leadership roles in various area civic organizations: Orange County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Wedgefield Home Owner’s Association, and East Orlando Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He was named “Citizen of the Year” for Orange County Districts 5 then the next year for Wedgefield , national top 100 “Small Business Influencer Champions” and received the NEC’s “Lifetime Service Award”. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family, friends, community and nation.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Constance, his children, Scott and Ann, and his grandchildren, Westin and Taylor. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 23rd, 2018 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, 501 E. Mitchell Hammock Road, Oviedo, Florida. He will be buried at Lakemont Memorial Gardens, 900 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, Maryland 21035 at 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 25th.
Donation in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Lung Association.