Richard Shepard, 77, of Perham died suddenly and peacefully at home from heart disease on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 12, a Calvary Lutheran Church in Perham with the Rev. Paul Anderson officiating. A memorial services will also be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 16, at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in St. Paul.

Richard &uot;Dick&uot; Shepard was born Jan. 21, 1928, in St. Paul, he son of George M. and Esther (Rutherford) Shepard. He grew up in St. Paul the youngest of five children.

He graduated from Shattuck Preparatory School in 1946 and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Dick was honorably discharged as a corporal in 1947.

He married Marjorie Doran in 1952 and together they had three children, Nancy Elizabeth, Robert Doran and Mary Esther.

He received his B.S. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1952 and his M.D. in 1956. After completion of his surgical residency he began his 40-year career as a general surgeon.

He practiced in Red Wing, Albert Lea, Lake City and Carrington, N.D., retiring in 1993 at age 66. Dick was married to Patricia Leer in 1994 and retired in Perham. They also have a home in Sun City West, Ariz., where they spent winters.

Dick had many interests and pastimes. His passions included golf, hunting and fishing. He was an avid lifetime learner and voracious reader. He enjoyed the outdoors and working in his yards and gardens and recently earned a designation as a master gardener.

Dick and Pat enjoyed traveling and playing bridge. He found great joy in spending time with his family and grandchildren. Having lost two brothers in WWII, he found great meaning in sharing pilgrimages with family to Italy and most recently to the 60th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. His infectious smile and generous spirit are already deeply missed.

Dick is survived by his wife, Patricia; children Nancy (Frank) Lopez of Fairfax, Calif.; Bob (Barb) Shepard of Eagan; Mary (Monte) Eaterday of Gooding, Ind.; grandchildren, Katie, Robbie and Sam; stepchildren, Gary (Karen) Leer of Bismarck, N.D., Julie Leer of Bismarck and Kim (Don) Fornshell of Minot, N.D.; and step-grandchildren, Lindsay, Aaron, Alex and Caleb.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie in 1975; his parents; brothers, William, George and Robert; and a sister, Elizabeth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the WWII Memorial, National Mall and Memorial Parks, 900 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, D.C., 20024-2000 or to Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, 1000 Shumway Ave., PO Box 218, Faribault, Minn., 55021.

Arrangements are by Schoeneberger Funeral Home in Perham. Online tributes may be posted at www.schoenebergerfuneralhome.com.