Birth date: Feb 2, 1934 Death date: Jan 15, 2026
Richard “Dick” Charles Shepard, 91, of St. Louis, Missouri, passed peacefully on January 15, 2026, surrounded by his wife and children. Richard was born on February 2, 1934, in St Louis, Missouri, to Joseph Matthew Shepard and Ev Read Obituary
Such a nice man to know and work with, both in St Louis and through ULI. My sincere sympathy to his family and many friends.
I first met Dick Shepard when I was doing a regional land survey for Linclay Corporation, searching for potential industrial development sites as an employee of Peckham Guyton architects. Union Electric at that time had an area development department with the dual role of attracting new customers and, fortunately for our region, attracting businesses to locate in the St. Louis area. Dick and his staff there made a presentation to me on area maps and photos, pointing out vacant sites, choice industrial development locations, and a few missed opportunities. He was very open and friendly to me, as a very young, inexperienced, and low-ranking professional, and he became a mentor to me in my career in development planning and architecture.
Dale Perkinson, founder of Linclay, was fascinated when I presented the results of my study, and soon he and Dick were communicating directly about potential sites in what turned into a lifelong relationship. When I started my own business years later he was again welcoming and helpful, leading to continued business for the firm’s where I was employed.
I will always remember him fondly, as friendly, inclusive, and helpful. I for one will miss him greatly and offer my sincere condolences to his family.
Peter H. Green, AIA, AICP, St. Louis
Judi,
On my behalf please accept condolences for Richard from the Ryan Family, including me John Ryan, Anne and Neil Ryan -deceased.
It has been a long time since we worked with you on selling Fordyce.
We also worked with Richard on some of his projects.
I also know Mom and Dad saw you often at Annunziata.
MAY THE SOULS OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED REST IN PEACE
John Ryan
314-941-0572
44 Williamsburg Rd
63141
Rich was absolutely the best! Such a kind and caring person who became like a dad to me and my brothers after losing our dad when we were all so young and he helped my mom out tremendously! Holidays were always amazing at the Shepard house with the best food ever and so many laughs. Lake vacations, pool parties, weddings, snow skiing, graduations…the list goes on and on with endless memories! Thanks for a lifetime of memories Richard you will be deeply missed ❤️
Rich will be deeply missed. He was generous with a kind soul. He made everyone feel welcomed. Holidays were always special at the Shepards home because that is where memories were made. He showed us what it looks like to care for a family and to give without looking for something in return. So many of our life experiences were made because of him. We are so grateful to have had Rich in our lives and will continue to keep his stories alive. Mickey and Jean.
Dick was a true gentleman, beloved, respected and appreciated by us. We worked with Dick when he served as a consultant to UMSL on several economic development projects. He was especially important in attracting the Express Scripts National Headquarters to the UMSL campus. It was Dick’s expertise that brought our dream to fruition. It was a very complex undertaking that resulted in the only Fortune 10 company to be located on a college campus. The result of the partnerships developed between UMSL and Express Scripts led to Express Scripts funding a University building, Express Scripts Hall, on the campus, hiring over 1000 of our graduates, providing internships for many more. The fact that the then CEO of Express Scripts, George Paz, was also an UMSL graduate, provided students a concrete example of their future possibilities. UMSL also created a specially designed MBA program for Express Scripts employees with classes conducted in their buildings.
Express Scripts Headquarters location provided significant benefits to the St. Louis community. It spurred the development of St. Louis County’s business park, NorthPark. The Missouri Department of Transportation said that the renovation of I-70, which established the Express Scripts site, resulted in the creation of over 6500 new jobs in St. Louis between UMSL and the Boeing campus.
On a personal note, Dick was a man of total integrity. And we who worked with him valued his always professional decorum. He treated all with dignity, respect and patience. It was our honor to know him.
Blanche Touhill Chancellor Emeritus University of Missouri-St. Louis
Betty Van Uum UMSL Public Affairs and Economic Development
Prima Wagan UMSL Public Affairs and Economic Development
John McCarthy Sverdrup
Dick was a true gentleman, beloved, respected and appreciated by us. We worked with Dick when he served as a consultant to UMSL on several economic development projects. He was especially important in attracting the Express Scripts National Headquarters to the UMSL campus. It was Dick’s expertise that brought our dream to fruition. It was a very complex undertaking that resulted in the only Fortune 10 company to be located on a college campus. The result of the partnerships developed between UMSL and Express Scripts led to Express Scripts funding a University building, Express Scripts Hall, on the campus, hiring over 1000 of our graduates, providing internships for many more. The fact that the then CEO of Express Scripts, George Paz, was also an UMSL graduate, provided students a concrete example of their future possibilities. UMSL also created a specially designed MBA program for Express Scripts employees with classes conducted in their buildings.
Express Scripts Headquarters location provided significant benefits to the St. Louis community. It spurred the development of St. Louis County’s business park, NorthPark. The Missouri Department of Transportation said that the renovation of I-70, which established the Express Scripts site, resulted in the creation of over 6500 new jobs in St. Louis between UMSL and the Boeing campus.
On a personal note, Dick was a man of total integrity. And we who worked with him valued his always professional decorum. He treated all with dignity, respect and patience. It was our honor to know him.
Blanche Touhill Chancellor Emeritus University of Missouri-St. Louis
Betty Van Uum UMSL Public Affairs and Economic Development
Prima Wagan UMSL Public Affairs and Economic Development
John McCarthy Sverdrup
Going to Disney World with him and Universal Studios on vacation and riding the rides and seeing all the shows
