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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jul '98
David Kirkwood Sheppard '46
No. 15314 * 18 Sep 1923 - 19 Mar 1997
Died in Charleston, SC * Interred in Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston,
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Although born in Detroit, Michigan, Dave spent
his school years in Midland, Michigan. After graduating from
Midland High School in 1941, Dave studied mechanical engineering
at the University of Michigan until he joined the Class of 1946
at West Point on 1 July 1943.
Cadet life presented no problems for Dave. A "Star
Man" each year, academics came easily. Roommate, Thornton
Milton, recalled "Dave was studious and determined. How
else could one become a successful cross-country runner? He was
not one to venture his opinions without being asked, but when
asked would express them clearly and with a quiet force. You
inherently knew that Dave was trustworthy, always willing to
help, especially in academics." With his high academic standing,
Dave became a second lieutenant in The Corps of Engineers at
graduation.
Classmate, Max Ulrich, tells of Dave's first assignments:
"After the Engineer Basic Course at Fort Belvoir, we both
received orders to the Hanau Germany Engineer Depot. Dave and
I served as Executive Officers in companion companies and after
a year moved to Depot Operations for the last two years of our
tour. Dave and I became fast friends from the start. During the
three years, we worked together,lived in the same quarters, traipsed
around Europe together and had a wonderful friendship. One anecdote
tells a lot about him. We were returning from Paris by car in
1948 and were loaded with French Francs left over from our trip.
Dave suggested that we stop for lunch at a high class restaurant
in the town of Nancy and get rid of the Francs. Dave asked the
waiter (who spoke no English) for the wine list. Since Dave spoke
no French, he pointed to the most expensive item on the list.
The waiter protested and tried to explain something. Dave insisted
that was what he wanted, and again the waiter protested. Dave
again insisted and the waiter went away shrugging his shoulders.
He returned wheeling in the biggest bottle of wine I'd ever seen.
Dave got a lot of quantity of dubious quality. He never batted
an eye and said quietly, 'Max, we're going to empty this SOB
if it takes the rest of the day. I'm not going to give that supercilious
waiter the satisfaction of knowing I didn't know what I was talking
about.' Three and a half hours later, two very inebriated lieutenants
left the restaurant-and an empty bottle-and headed back to Hanau.
We got home safely by the Grace of God and the fact that there
were so few vehicles on the road those days. We returned to the
States in 1950, Dave on his way to the University of California
and I for MIT."
Dave received his Master of Engineering degree
from California at Berkeley in 1952 and was ordered to Korea
as an Engineer Advisor to the South Korean Army. In 1953, he
moved to Yokohama, Japan to the Army Engineer Depot. Returning
to the States, Dave attended the Advanced Course at Fort Belvoir,
Virginia. He was then assigned as Assistant District Engineer
for the Charleston SC Army Engineer District. It was during this
assignment that Dave met and married Frances Simonds in 1956.
In 1958, Dave resigned from the Army to try his hand at civilian
life.
He went to work for RUSCON Construction Company
in Charleston and remained with RUSCON for thirty years, retiring
in 1988 as Senior Vice President. His marriage was dissolved
in 1966.
After retirement, Dave was active in several local
Engineering Societies, enjoyed jogging and tennis. Dave developed
throat and mouth cancer in 1987. He died 19 March 1997. He is
survived by his son, Steven, his sister, Jean Rowe and two grandchildren.
Dave Sheppard will be remembered by family and
friends as a quiet, determined, highly efficient man who exemplified
what a West Pointer should be. The remembrances of those who
knew and loved him tell best what made him special.
Sister Jean recalled: "The highlights of his
last years were the birth of a granddaughter, Caroline, and a
grandson, Aaron, children of his only son, Steven."
Brother in law John Simonds, wrote: "David
was as fine a man as I have known and quite modest about his
accomplishments. He struggled and fought with all he had against
cancer for the last several years and only gave up when there
was no strength left in him. An honorable man."
Thornton Milton remembered: "Frankly, Dave
was the type of person most of us would like to have as a friend.
Dependable and always there if needed."
Robert Russell, President RUSCON construction recalled:
"It was a pleasure to have known Dave, both personally and
professionally for so many years and he will be greatly missed."
Max Ulrich wrote: "Dave was the closest friend
I made since graduation. He was a quiet person and an excellent
listener. He had a fine sense of humor and a great dry wit. Notwithstanding
his quiet demeanor, he was tough as nails when he had to be.
Dave was a true friend. He could be relied upon in all circumstances.
He was fun to be with-an intellectual without being pedantic,
a quiet man who was a good communicator, an athlete who was a
good sport, and in all, a regular guy."
The Class of 1946 is honored to add to the thoughts
of all who knew, loved and respected Dave, these words that would
mean so much to him: "Well Done, Dave; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his son, Steven
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