Richard S. Shepard

Richard S. Shepard led a life that ran from island-hopping invasions against the Japanese to pioneering the fast-food revolution that was McDonald's Hamburgers. He died Sunday, June 1, 2008, in Ft. Myers. Florida.

Having just turned 87, Shepard recently observed the 65th anniversary of his marriage to Dorothy Donlen Shep-ard, who continues to live in Ft. Myers. His daughter, Judith Shepard Horn, her husband, James T. Horn, and granddaughter, Shannon M. Horn, live in Hinsdale, Illinois. His son, Randall T. Shepard, wife, Amy W. MacDonell, and granddaughter, Mattie M. Shepard, live in Indianapolis. The family knew him as a man fond of humor and international travel.

Shepard was the son of Earle L. Shepard and Mary Schilling Shepard, born May 11, 1921, in Chicago, but part of a family that has lived in the state since Indiana's days as a territory.

Evansville knew him best for his association with the Golden Arches. When there were fewer than one hundred McDonald's in the country, Shepard and his partner Don Hazeltine opened their first restaurant in August 1959. As McDonald's grew to 15,000 locations worldwide, they started twelve stores in Indiana and Kentucky, where thousands of young men and women got their first work experience. The two partners were in the first graduating class at Hamburger University.

Dick and Dee Shepard had met while students at DePauw University, graduating with the class of 1942. Shepard majored in business and English, played baseball, acted in plays, and joined Delta Upsilon fraternity. By the time the two married on April 17, 1943, Shepard had finished officer training at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London and become an Ensign. He advanced to Lieutenant Junior Grade, serving as an officer on a Landing Ship Tank (LST). He participated in multiple invasions, including New Guinea and the Admiralty Islands.

After the war, Shepard began a business career in Lafayette, Indiana, with Sears Roebuck & Co. He soon rose to serve as manager of the credit department and also worked at stores in Illinois and Kentucky, before leaving Sears to pursue the challenge of the new company called McDonald's.

Visitation will be today, June 5, at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave., from 4 to 7 p.m.

Services will be at Memorial Park Mausoleum, 2200 Mesker Park Drive, on Friday, June 6, 2008, at 9:30 a.m., with Rev. Kevin McKinney officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6301 Old Boonville Hwy # B, Evansville, 47715, or to DePauw University, P.O. Box 37, Greencastle, Indiana, 46135.