Bruce Sheppard

Mr. Bruce Parker Sheppard, 76, of Walkersville, Maryland, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

Born June 18, 1945, in Baltimore, Maryland, he was the son of the late C. Parker Sheppard and Elisabeth (Fischer) Sheppard. He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Ann (Sheppard) Peppler.

Bruce was a 1963 graduate of the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola College of Baltimore. Bruce honorably served in the United States Air Force during Vietnam, stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He was employed by Verizon for 36 years, retiring in 2003. He also worked for the United States Census Bureau and oversaw K-12 National Standards testing with NAEP. An avid collector of trains, he could often be found playing in his train garden with a youthful gleam in his baby blue eyes. Bruce loved rum raisin ice-cream, the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens but despised the Indianapolis Colts and lima beans with a passion unknown to mankind.

Bruce’s faith in the Lord was unwavering and was demonstrated by his service and devotion to Calvary United Methodist Church, Frederick. He participated in numerous mission trips throughout the United States, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Vieques Island, Guatemala, and Grenada. In addition, Bruce was highly active as a United Methodist Mission Chairman and volunteered with The Lords Laundry, Early Response Team for Disasters, as a church van driver and coordinator, a former Sunday school teacher, former choir member and as a Representative to the UMC Baltimore/Washington Conference.

Bruce was also active in several service and community organizations including Lions Club International of Glade Valley, Telephone Pioneers, Woodsboro American Legion Post 282, Girl Scouts of America, Walkersville High School Band Boosters, Alan P. Linton, Jr. Emergency Shelter Program (cold weather shelter), Road to Recovery cancer patient driver and Discovery HOA Board of Directors.

He will be remembered by his loving wife of 52 years, Helen Hillman Sheppard. In addition to his loving wife, Bruce is survived by daughters, Amy A. Lyon and husband William of Lake Ridge, VA and Rebecca G. Crum and husband Keith of Fairfield, PA; four granddaughters, Sydney, Marley, Morgann and Maren; niece Wendy Peppler Koch of Fredericksburg, VA and nephew Rick Peppler and wife Daynna of Mount Pleasant, SC.

A celebration of Bruce’s life will take place at 11:00am on Saturday August 28th, 2021 at Calvary United Methodist Church, 131 W 2nd Street, Frederick, Maryland (masks required)  with the Rev. Dr. Steve Larsen and Rev. Ken Humbert officiating. Bruce wished his body to be donated to The Maryland State Anatomy Board to help educate future medical professionals.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, please consider a donation to Calvary United Methodist Church mission programs.