Clyde Whitcomb Shepherd Jr.

1942 - 2022

Clyde W. Shepherd Jr., aged 80, died on September 6, 2022, at Lynchburg General Hospital after a brief illness. He was born to Agnes and Clyde W. Shepherd Sr., at their home in Lynchburg on March 22, 1942.

Dr. Shepherd devoted much of his life to supporting young people. A brilliant and energetic thinker, he earned his PhD in Education from the University of Virginia. From 1968 through his retirement in 1999, he was a Professor at Keene State College in New Hampshire, where he served as the Chairperson of the Department of Special Education. Following his retirement, Dr. Shepherd taught psychology courses at Central Virginia Community College until 2020. He focused his professional career on advancing research related to chronic illness in children, with an emphasis on developmental disorders, including autism. His dedication to improving the quality of life for young people did not stop at children. As a first-generation college student who made his home in academia, he valued how education had enlarged his life. He was a rigorous and compassionate teacher who encouraged his students to push their capacities. He never tired of advising them on how to achieve their educational and professional goals, and he continued to support them well beyond their time in his classroom.

Dr. Shepherd was a lifelong learner, too, with a deep and enduring interest in the arts, literature, mathematics, science, architecture, and gardening. He surrounded himself with the creations of other people—books, artwork, furniture, textiles, and records—whose artistry and craftsmanship he admired. He also appreciated the beauty of the natural world, particularly the landscapes of New England and Virginia, as well as the drama of sports and the sagas of his beloved teams: the Patriots, the Red Sox, the Celtics, and the Cavaliers of his alma mater. He was proud of his own athleticism and the daily morning runs he took with his dog in every season. He laughed easily, and he loved the life that he had.

Dr. Shepherd is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his five children and their families, and his stepchildren and their families, Chris, his wife, Dana, and their sons, Matthew and Nicholas; Tim and his son, Drew; Scott and his daughters, Abigail and Rachel; Alexandra, her husband, Jason, and their children, Madeline, Oliver, and William; Meredith and her husband, Cristóbal; Valerie and her children, Morgan and Lukas; and Greg and his children, Kristi and Tyler.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 11 a.m.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit tharpfuneralhome.com.