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BORN
1920
DIED
2016
Eugene SHEPHERD Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Eugene SHEPHERD
Capt.Neal Coleman
August 27, 2024
Thank you again Mr Shepherd for the music appreciation you taught me, even though you're gone you will never ever be forgotten signed Captain Neal F. Coleman USNR
Capt.Neal Coleman
August 27, 2024
Mr Shepherd, I was in your 7th, 8th, and 9th grade band class. During my 8th and 9th grade I was first chair sousaphone player for you and I must say those three years at Lawrence Cook Junior high band class was the best years of my life, you taught me the appreciation of music that I never thought I would have and I still appreciate to this day. In my 9th grade year I was your band major for the Santa Rosa Rose parade and we took first place, I can remember the call that I made to you after we received the trophy at the fairgrounds and you were so elated this was the 1969 Santa Rosa Rose parade and I want to say on the half of me and my family thank you so very much for the encouragement you gave me from your words and your teaching I've carried this throughout my life and I just want to say thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I also wish to add after high School I joined the Navy I spent 32 years as a Navy aviator flying f 18, in the summer of 1977 I was afforded the chance to see Arthur fiedler and the Boston pops in Boston. I remember you referring to him as a great director and composer and the symphony was magnificent just as you described. This was an experience I will never forget and I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for you, thank you Mr Shepherd for everything because you taught us all from the bottom of your heart with compassion signed, Capt. Neal F. Coleman USNR.
P. S. You are and will always be the best.
Cynthia M Jansen
December 30, 2022
Hello Gina,
I hope that you and your family are doing well. Reading these tributes about your father brings back good memories of the years you and Stacey were in school tog.
Sending love and wishes for a wonderful New Year ahead.
Cindy Jansen
Sharon Salas (nee Warren)
January 26, 2017
Gene was warm, funny, and well-loved. I remember he used to call me in the middle of the night just to chat. Of course he was retired then and I wasn't, so I tended to fall asleep, but I always answered.
Yvette (Ingley) Kennedy
January 14, 2017
I am lighting this candle in memory of Mr. Eugene Shepherd. My most favorite teacher ever! Thank you for teaching me how to make music.
Music is a beautiful thing! You not only brought music to your class, you also brought joy with your great sense of humor. Music feeds my soul. I know you are conducting the best symphony in heaven. And in the front row...your mother! I remember her always being there at a lot of your performances.
RIP Mr. Shepherd, until we meet again..❣
Kathleen Picerno
January 12, 2017
Gosh - you were a wonderful teacher. My sister had this wonderful person for music in the 1960's at Cook Junior High. We were in his music class when it was announced over the loud speaker that President Kennedy had been killed. We cried with you. Mr. Shepherd you had such class. Thank you for being such a great teacher and just the nicest individual. Rest in peace. Now you can play again with Glen Miller.
Cindy Jansen
January 7, 2017
Dear Gina and family,
My sympathies for your father's passing.
With love,
Cindy Wallace Jansen
Mark Osten
January 6, 2017
One of the pillars of Sonoma County music for decades, and a great man.
Homer Harris, MD
January 6, 2017
There are so many stories to be told about Mr. Shepard. I was at Cook when it first opened and was a member of the band. I was getting depressed because I was first chair alto sax and I was frequntly getting challenged for my spot. I was ready to quit because that never happened to me in elementary school.Then he asked me if I would like to try the baritone sax and I immediately fell in love with it. He later chose me to be to become one of the first drum majors. He was full of pranks and we did one in which he "shot" one of the trumpet players with a cap pistol during a concert for screwing up. He introduced to the fast pace of the "Russian Sailors Dance" and the songs from "My Fair Lady."He just made band fun. I have many pleasant memories from that time.
After a wonderful concert in Newman Auditorium on my favorite 9 foot Steinway, with Mom, 1982
Jaymi Hill-Briney
January 6, 2017
Rest In Paradise Gene! For thousands of students at Lawrence Cook Jr. High School, Santa Rosa, CA at one of the hardest times of life, you brought out our best performances with your lit concert baton, instilled the love and joys of music in us and made our parents and families proud. You were a pal, a taskmaster, a comedian, a tireless, patient and encouraging teacher. For many, you were also a guiding light, a father figure, a great influence, inspiration, a hand up, a bridge and in some cases a stable safe harbor for many students in harsh situations. A caring buddy. You may never know how many people's lives you changed for the better. It was truly an honor to back you in your many virtuoso performances of Hot Canary back in the early to mid 1970s, spinning our stringed instruments in "Tango Trocadero" and beam with pride as the band played the annual Christmas Concert favorite, "Jingle Bells Around The World". In addition to the thousands of students at Cook, the many Rose and other local parade wins, there were many years of Superior ratings from the California State Music Festivals your school bands and orchestras earned. You cultivated several sonic gardens in the community of Santa Rosa with several groups you conducted and those you founded. As crown jewel, the concertmeister of the Santa Rosa Symphony, you brought joy to countless audience members. We salute you as one of Santa Rosa's most cherished citizens, thank you for all you've given us Gene, or as many of your students knew you, Uncle Eugene!
Sylvia Nance Stinson
January 5, 2017
I had the honor of working with Maestro Gene during my 29 years as a music instructor at SRJC. What a gift he was to his students, the SR music community as a fine musician, teacher, mentor, colleague and friend.
Margaret Worley-Pryor
January 5, 2017
Wonderful man will be missed by so many music students. 1963-66 Jr. High you took the time to really help us learn to play and enjoy Music. Thank you for making a difference.
Lorry Laby
January 5, 2017
When I saw Mr. Holland's Opus in the theater, I thought of Gene during the movie. When it ended I sat for a while gathering myself--one of the last to leave the theater. As I reached the end of the aisle, there was Gene. We hugged. I'll never forget him. He was a mentor and a friend of great proportions.
Yvette Ingley (Kennedy)
January 5, 2017
Aww, Mr. Shepherd,
You have always been my favorite teacher. You introduced me to music beginning with a black plastic flute and on to the violin. I was in Orchestra my three years at Cook. Also playing in the preparatory orchestra to hopefully, someday moving to The Santa Rosa Symphony. After graduating to Montgomery High School my interests changed. But I never forgot about Mr. Shephard. I also thought the movie Mr Hollands Opus reminded me of this wonderful inspiring man. Goodbye Mr. Shephard I'm sure you are conducting the most beautiful symphony ever! Until me meet again...
Mary (Patty) Ingham
January 5, 2017
As a young violinist, it was a pleasure to play with the Santa Rosa Jr. Symphony under your patient baton. We all thought the world of you. You ushered many of us into the Santa Rosa Symphony. The music community has suffered a great loss with your passing. Thank you for all you did for us.
Laura Ross
January 5, 2017
He was the "Mr. Holland" of our time. RIP Mr. Shepherd. It was a honor being one of your many students. Laura(Long)Ross, Cook 78'-81'.
Linda (Long) Turner
January 5, 2017
My whole family loved you so very much. We will miss you greatly and there are generations of kids who will never know the blessings of the "leader of the band" as so many of us did.
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