Richard Lee Sheppard

Richard Lee Sheppard, age 69, of Pylesville, Maryland passed away on July 24, 2022 at his home. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he was the son of Kemp and Lettie (Tibbs) Sheppard.

Richard was born on July 28, 1952.  He was the youngest of 12 children.  At a very early age a high level of work ethic was instilled upon him.  At the age of 7, he was taught by his dad and older brothers how to run the tractors, plow the fields, plant the corn, and milk their Holstein dairy cattle on their 88-acre farm in Fountain Green.  He soon was able to teach his sisters the same. 

When Richard turned 18, he joined the Local 37, International Union of Operating Engineers where his brothers were also members. Operating cranes was his passion.  Over the years he was able to be a part of so many momentous builds.  He built the shark tanks at the Baltimore Aquarium, set the jumbo screen and name plate on the Raven’s Stadium, helped build the Columbus Center and was considered the “Miracle Man” of the 41^st  Street bridge.  While this was a physically exhausting job, he never took a day off.  He retired at the age of 55, but was still very active with Local 37.

During his life, he was able to build two homesteads, one in White Marsh and the last one in Pylesville, MD.  Here he enjoyed his life to the fullest.  Often you would find him and his wife, Patsy with their dog Chloe, enjoying the backyard with a cup of coffee that overlooked the neighboring farm. He loved his grandkids with all his heart and enjoyed seeing them.  He especially loved having family and friends over for a cookout and steamed crabs.  He had a big heart and would do anything for anyone.  Richard will be remembered for his many comical sayings. He often would joke and say “That’s Bullshit” in his bellowing laugh.  He would call everyone “Joe”.  That was his term of endearment for you. He would always tell grandkids to “Stay on Green.”  He loved hard and lived hard of all the way to the end.  It's gettin dark…time to go home.       

Richard is survived by his wife Patsy Sheppard of 45 years of marriage; daughters, Tera Bell (Sheppard) and her husband Steven Beyer, Brenda Lee (Firkin) Sheppard; brothers, Emery Sheppard and Frankie Sheppard and wife Anna; sisters, Rita Aldrich and Sissy Baker (Sheppard) and her husband Gary ; grandchildren, Veronica White and her husband Jenya, Alanah Ulrich and husband Noah, Emily Rose Firkin, Michael Bell, Jr. Leanna Firkin, Jenna Bell and Richard Firkin.