Joseph R. Shepler

I didn't know Joe passed until today and am saddened. I lost touch with him when I moved from Pittsburgh and was hoping to meet him again. I met Joe in 2012 when I was bartending at a restaurant in his neighborhood. I barely knew Joe a year but knew him enough to be tickled by this obituary and the memories it brings back of him. He certainly was very routined- I saw him every Friday night at the same time and he always ordered a gin and tonic (or a Cuba libre if festive) and forever told the best stories. In the short time I knew him he was my mentor and companion in the city; Looking back I was a very lucky young woman to have such a talented, intelligent man around. Joe brought my brother and I to the Pittsburgh symphony, we went to the Arts Festival together (and were hit by a runaway golf cart), he traveled with myself and my roommate to the Butler Jeep Festival... Joe lent me a map of the New York subway system printed in the 1970s that was still immensely helpful when I visited in 2012. He was a grumpy, gregarious, gracious man and I will never ever forget him. My condolescenes to his family and friends.

Joe's talent, humor and authenticity live on in my memories and I send my deepest sympathies to all those who loved and worked with this brilliant artist and human being. Our lives are blessed having known Joe.