Thomas Richard Sheppard

Sheppard, Thomas Richard
August 8, 1934 - July 27, 2011
Thomas R. Sheppard passed away peacefully on July 27, 2011, at home and surrounded by his family. Tom was born on August 8, 1934 in Pasadena to Ruth (Pashgian) and James C. Sheppard. He grew up in San Marino, graduating from South Pasadena/San Marino High in 1952.
After graduating from Stanford in 1956, Tom married the love of his life, Arlene Clubb, quite literally his childhood sweetheart, whom he'd known since the 1st grade. After serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy, Tom graduated from Harvard Law School in 1961, and then joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton, the noted law firm co-founded by his father. A specialist in Tax and Real Estate law, Tom was a founding member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. As a Partner, Executive Committee member, and head of a formidable real estate development department, Tom helped to grow Sheppard, Mullin from a relatively small firm to the international powerhouse it is today.
In his youth, Tom was an avid sailing enthusiast, and in 1953 he crewed aboard the 161-foot Goodwill, the largest schooner ever to sail in the Transpacific Race from Los Angeles to Hawaii, which became one of Tom's favorite places to visit. Tom was a champion domino player, avid history buff, world-class gardener, and supporter of any cause that would have him. Above all else, Tom cherished his family, and even as his health was failing, he was arranging parties and gatherings at his San Marino home.
Tom is pre-deceased by his parents, and by his brother, James C. Sheppard, III. In addition to Arlene, his beloved wife of 55 years, Tom leaves his children, Eileen Sheppard, Pam Knapp (Don Knapp) and Tom Sheppard, Jr (Inga de Beyer), and his grandchildren, Jennifer, Stephen and Michael Kallin, and Meghan, Christopher and Justin Knapp. A private service and celebration of life will be held on August 8, Tom's birthday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be sent in Thomas Sheppard's memory to The James C. Sheppard Scholarship Fund at Harvard Law School, Harvard Law School Alumni Center, 125 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge MA 02138.