Guestbook for Robert Choate Shepherd
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February 28, 2018 | Stosie Sanderson - Boca Grande, Florida 33921 -- USA

I am so saddened to learn about Shep. He was such a darling person.What an awful loss for you. You had such a wonderful time together- best of pals always. I have been looking for you everywhere

October 21, 2016 | David Messer - Cabarete, Puerto Plata -- Dominican Republic

What a lovely life he led. How lucky you were to have had each other. My sympathy and good wishes to Joan and family.

August 1, 2016 | Helen A Norton - Harpswell, Maine -- USA

My deepest sympathy to all his family. My fondest memory of Bob was his humour on the tennis court. I lost many a game because of it. Laughter and concentration do not necessarily mix.

July 21, 2016 | George and Liz Glover - Brunswick, ME -- USA

Joanie, We always enjoyed and admired Bob. Brunswick was very lucky to have the benefit of his good mind and generous efforts for the public good. Please
know we are thinking of you and your family.

July 19, 2016 | Tammy Hutchisen - Evans, GA -- USA

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr Shepard. I will cherish the times Doug and I were in Brunswick and Prout's Neck with the Shepard family. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your family's loss. Great people are never forgotten.

July 19, 2016 | Randi Landry - Brunswick , ME -- USA

"Sheppie" will be missed so much...Maine St will never be the same

July 16, 2016 | Erik Jorgensen & Tamara Risser - Portland, ME -- USA

Dear Joanie - Erik Here -Tamara and I attended Bob's sad but wonderful memorial yesterday in Prouts and unfortunately had a prior engagement and had to leave before the reception. So we did not have a chance to say hello or express our condolences to you in person.

At their best, memorial services help us remember someone we care for while also reminding us how best to live what's left of our own lives - Shep's did just that. He (and you!) have provided so many everyday generous acts of friendship for us over the years, it's hard to pick out single examples from the overriding sense of kindness and goodness and humor that you always have showed, whether in his sharing wisdom on how to be a good landlord, or all of your great dinner conversations at Town and College, or your humor and friendship when we served together on the Village Improvement Association. You were both such an important part of our time in Brunswick - I know that this is supposed to be about Bob, but we can't honor him without honoring you as partners in a great team.

We are so glad to have known Bob, and so happy we were with your family yesterday - that it was such a large turnout is just a testament to his influence on so many people. We wish, however, we had worn white socks and running shoes as a tribute to his sartorial flair.

Had she known e-mail, my proper grandmother would likely have cringed at the notion of an e-mailed condolence message, but we don't have a current address and wanted you to promptly know that we were there, that we were thinking of you and your family, and that we were incredibly moved by the comments of everyone who spoke, from the priest to your granddaughter. It was a great and worthy tribute to a great person, but, equally,a tribute to what you and he have done together as parents and friends and citizens over the past however many years.

This was such shocking and unexpected news, but I am so glad I saw you both at Early Chow when George Mitchell spoke, and I am so very glad that you included the wonderful photo from July 4th in the program, as well as the absolutely beautiful voice mail, which made us both laugh and cry.

Please know that we're thinking about you and all of your family. I hope our paths will cross again soon under happier circumstances, but in the meantime just know how much we appreciated yesterday's service and how much we adored Bob.

Love, Erik and Tamara

July 15, 2016 | Lisa Paige - Brunswick, ME -- USA

Joanie, I can't stand it! Shep was one of the most decent and wonderful men around and I am so glad to have had his (and your) friendship for all these years. The memories will sustain us, but it won't be the same.
I can't make it to the celebration of life this afternoon as I have a mandatory event elsewhere at the same time. Marilyn Dwyer and I want to come see you later this summer, after our kids leave.
I will be in touch. Much love to you and your family,
Lisa

July 15, 2016 | Charlie Graham - Camden, Maine -- USA

Shep was one of the first people I met when I came to Bowdoin in fall 1955. He and two other Psi Us were at Appleton Hall helping freshmen like me to bring their luggage up to their dorm rooms. As it turned out, however, Shep spent his time schmoozing my mother and girl friend while the other two Psi Us did all the work. ("I've got to get to know this guy better", I thought.) And I did, becoming a fraternity brother of Shep's, enjoying his wit and savoir-faire for the next two years that our classes overlapped. Even afterward, a chance meeting with Bob, whether at the alumni Early Chow meetings or elsewhere in the Brunswick area, always brought a smile. I'm sure that everyone who knew Shep will miss him as much as I do.

July 15, 2016 | Andy & Sally Davis - Fanwood, NJ -- USA

Annie & Joe,

Are sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of your dad. We are thinking of you all today.

With love,
Andy & Sally

July 14, 2016 | Duane Paluska - Woolwich, ME -- USA

Our sincere condolences to Joan, Ann, Kate, Jonathan and the extended Shepherd family. Bob was a wise and warm and good-humored man who shared his many virtues and abilities with the community. There was a time not so long ago when our two families had a number of important ties, and Bob will be missed by all of us. He represented all the good things of Brunswick to me. When he pulled over his bicycle for a chat, my day was always brighter. We share your grief at his passing.
Duane, Ellen, John and Peter Paluska

July 14, 2016 | CAROLYN R STEFANI - EDGEWATER, NJ -- USA

So sad to lose another of our dear classmates.
I guess Bob and I must have been distant cousins, both being Mayflower descendants. My mother's family settled Yarmouth, ME in the early 1800's.
My deepest sympathy to all family members.
Carolyn (Rees) Stefani

July 14, 2016 | Carol and Joel Stinson - Harpswell, ME -- USA

Dear Joanie,

We were so sad to hear of Bob's death. I remember so vividly the many times I played tennis with you and Bob. Bob kept me on my feet with his patented, twisted way of making the ball spin any which way. We want you to know how much we will sincerely miss him.

Love,
Carol and Joel Stinson

July 14, 2016 | Anne & Steve Lavoie - Brunswick, maine -- Usa

We are saddened to hear of your loss. We remember fondly of our past landlord. We loved living at #7 federal St. for 10 years. A fond memory is : after moving away and buying a house in Topsham, we saw Bob on Maine street and as he was pleased to see us, we as well were pleased to see him. We were asked by Bob, " Are you ready to come back home?" Were were proud that we were considered with such endearment. Know that your family are in our hearts and prayers at this difficult time.
(( )) Anne & Steve Lavoie

July 14, 2016 | Arleen mckane - Englewood , Florida -- United States

My husbands friend our past neighbors loved them so much. Many love and prayers for the family

July 14, 2016 | Christopher and Pamela Brown - Paris, Maine -- USA

To the Entire Family,
Please accept our sincerest and deepest sympathies at the loss of your husband, father, grandfather and friend.
May it help comfort you at this time of great sorrow, and in the days to come, as we all learn to live with the loss of him.
Chris and Pam Brown

July 14, 2016 | Charles L.Sawyer - Yarmouth, Maine -- USA

Very sorry to learn of Bob's passing.
Our Bowdoin/Psi U. friendship with Shep will be remembered with affection.He never attempted to be any thing other than himself.
We are very sorry not to be able to be at the service.We have about 30 people coming to the house for an annual party,but our thoughts will be with Bob.

Charlie and Jane Sawyer

July 14, 2016 | henrietta watson - portland, ME -- United States

Bob will always be remembered as one of the nicest people I knew. He was one of people who played a part in Sid's
decision to being interviewed by Bowdoin.
I wish you courage, strength and love in the coming days.

Henrietta