Robert Royal Shepperd
May 18, 1927 ~ January 11, 2019 Resident of Saratoga
Long time Saratoga resident, Robert “Bob” Royal Shepperd, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2019 surrounded by family.
Robert was born to Alfred Emmett Shepperd and Helen Tuebner Shepperd on May 18, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. Robert grew up on Martin Avenue in San Jose and graduated from Lincoln High School. As a young man, Robert obtained the rank of Eagle Scout and lived his life in accordance with the ideals of an Eagle Scout. His life was dedicated to helping and serving others.
Robert volunteered for naval service on his 18th birthday. He attended Oregon State University as a NROTC candidate and also studied to be a radioman at Great Lakes Naval Station. After his honorable discharge, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity and Tau Beta Phi Engineering Honor Society.
Robert married MaryGrace Newell on March 31, 1956 and resided for a short time in Livermore and San Jose. Work sent the couple to India for a 2 year reactor installation project. They moved to Saratoga in 1966 spent their young lives raising three children.
Robert worked for General Electric, Nuclear Power Division, as a project manager for 40 years. As a resident of Saratoga for 53 years, Robert was involved in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 535 and Santa Clara County Council, and the Saratoga Little League.
His retired life activities included being the neighborhood handyman, riding his bicycle daily, and playing golf weekly. In his later life, he was involved in the GE Quarter Century Club, GE Hitachi Nuclear Pioneers, and the Elfun Society California North.
Robert is survived by his wife of 62 years , MaryGrace Shepperd; daughter, Susan Shepperd Hall; son and daughter-in law, Charlie and Anne Shepperd; son , Richard Shepperd. He was loved and respected by his eight grandchildren; Jennifer, Chad, Cameron, Charlie, Robert, David, Laurel, and Caroline and two great grandchildren, Cash and Kylie.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Boy Scouts of America or the University of California, College of Engineering. A private burial was at Madronia Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held on February 17th, 2019 at the Alameda Family Mortuary at 1PM.