Richard Shepherd

Richard Swenson Shepherd

January 3, 1953 – July 19, 2015

Richard Swenson Shepherd, our treasured husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend, returned to his Heavenly Father on July 19, 2015. He was 62 years old.

Born on January 3, 1953 in Ogden, UT to William George and Jenness Swenson Shepherd, Rich grew up in Salt Lake City, UT and Martinez, CA. He carried his boyhood love of monster movies, comic books, and trains into adulthood, and loved to share his passions with friends and family. His generosity was boundless, and he loved nothing better than to give a gift, share a treat, or spring a surprise. True to his selfless spirit, he served in many capacities as a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), blessing those around him. Everything he gave in life, from his time, talents, gifts or love, he gave with the fullness of his heart.

Rich was a talented and sought-after musician, earning a degree in music education from Utah State University in 1975. He performed music throughout his life, notably as a percussionist with the New American Philharmonic and as a vocalist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. After his family, he loved his associations with the Tabernacle Choir more than anything, and was deeply proud and grateful to sing with them for five wonderful years.

Rich had a long and accomplished career with the Weber County School District, where he started as a band teacher at Wahlquist Junior High. After earning a Master’s degree in educational counseling, he worked as a counselor at North Ogden Junior High, and then as a Student Services Coordinator at the district office. He was known as a humble and hard-working man and was much-loved by his co-workers.

Rich’s greatest joy in life was his family: his beloved wife Myrna, whom he married on June 20, 1975 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, their six children, and six beautiful granddaughters. He loved family game nights, camping trips, or any reason to spend time together as a family. He loved to take the kids fishing, to see their excitement at making a catch. He was interested in all kinds of gadgetry and could fix anything. All his children knew that a call to Dad would quickly bring a wise and accurate answer to anything from a do-it-yourself dilemma to a deep life question.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Jenness Shepherd.  He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Myrna Tolley Shepherd; his brother, Michael (Pamela) Shepherd and sister Judy (Keith) Everett; his children, Sean (Darci) Shepherd, Jill Shepherd, Heather Shepherd, Aaron (Stacey) Shepherd, Matthew Shepherd, and Andrew (Emily) Shepherd; and his adored granddaughters, Erica, Margot, Lillian, Rosie, Lorelei, and Violet.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Riverdale Stake Center, 4000 Parker Dr.  Friends may visit family on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.  Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park 4500 Washington Blvd.