RALPH HAMILTON SHEPARD JR.

FERRISBURGH — Ralph Hamilton Shepard Jr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family Sunday, March 8, 2026. Ralph was a loving husband, father, stepfather, uncle, brother, and grandfather. After a childhood in New Jersey, and then travelling far and wide with the Air Force, Ralph settled in Vermont almost fifty years ago, where he raised his family. First in Stowe, then later in Cornwall, and after a brief empty-nester-relocation to Arizona, Ralph and his wife Pat returned home to Vermont, where their children were settling, this time in Ferrisburgh.

Ralph was born Feb. 17, 1945, in Glen Ridge, N.J., the middle of three brothers and the son of Ralph H. Shepard Sr. and Ruth Crane Shepard. His childhood was spent exploring his budding passions and interests, which early on consisted mainly of building, dismantling, and experimenting — pursuits that occasionally produced more excitement than he intended. He loved to tell his children and grandchildren the stories of how some of these youthful experiments left him with the scars he carried proudly. In high school, Ralph learned to play the bagpipes at 13 years old, and by 15 he was the Pipe Major of the local pipe band. In his final months, Ralph took great pleasure in listening to Scottish pipe and drum corps recordings. In high school, he also bought his first Model T — the first of many antique car restorations he would take on throughout his life.

Ralph attended the University of Tennessee and, in 1968, received a B.S. in Business Administration. After college, he took a job as an Industrial Arts teacher in South Carolina. In 1992, he received his master’s of Public Administration from the University of Vermont, and held a variety of teaching and mentorship roles throughout his career.

Ralph joined the United States Air Force in 1971 and was a distinguished graduate of the United States Officer Training School. He went on to fly the T-33, EB-57, and eventually the F-4 Phantom. He also served as a KC-135 Stratotanker Aircraft Commander, the Squadron Historian, and the Code of Conduct Briefing Officer.

In 1978, Ralph transferred to the Vermont Air National Guard and served as both a pilot and Deputy Director of Air Operations, receiving a Commendation Medal in 1993. Initially, he flew operational missions in the EB-57 and F-4 Phantom, later worked as a Ground Training Officer, then was promoted to Air Staff at State Headquarters, where his duties centered on monitoring the state’s preparedness for wartime missions. He was also a Mission Pilot for the U.S. Civil Air Patrol. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring in 1993.

Ralph’s love of blacksmithing was kindled in his youth, when he learned the craft as an apprentice for Arlington Russell & Son in West Caldwell, N.J. Upon his mentor’s death, the business was left to Ralph. In the 1980s, Ralph owned and operated the Arlington Russell & Son Blacksmith Shop in an old schoolhouse on Route 30 in Cornwall, Vt., — now the town’s fire station. Never a ferrier, Ralph’s passion was ornamental ironwork, which included railings, gates, and antique hardware reproductions. Some of his ironwork can still be found around Addison County and beyond.

For over twenty years, Ralph brought his engineering and leadership skills into the manufacturing industry in Burlington, Vt.; first as a plant manager at Joslyn Defense Systems, then as a supervisor, and later as the Director of Operations at Edlund Company. At Edlund, Ralph’s commitment to excellence and efficiency was reflected in several major projects he led, including the development of Edlund’s first enterprise computer system and the modernization of the plant infrastructure. Ralph’s capacity for strategic planning, management and conflict resolution was highly valued by his colleagues. Later, Ralph brought these skills to serve small business leaders in Vermont and Arizona, as a business counselor, consultant, and manager, as well as supporting non-profit organizations.

In addition to restoring antique firearms and automobiles, blacksmithing, cabinetmaking, restoring old homes, and participating in reenactments of many Civil War battles, later in life, Ralph added steamboating to his list of passions. In 2019, he built a 26’ wood-fired steamboat he named ‘Spitfire.’ Many recent summers saw him participating in the Lee Mills Steamboat Association annual gathering in Vergennes or touring the Otter Creek with his family aboard.

Ralph’s ebullience and gregarious nature led him to form many treasured, lifelong friendships. His wide-ranging interests connected him with communities across the country, and he was a member of numerous organizations reflecting his passions, including the American Society of Arms Collectors, the Arizona Society of Arms Collectors, the Company of Military Historians, the Military Officers Association, the Arizona Artists Blacksmith Association, and Scottish Weapons Collectors, as well as groups closer to home such as the Vermont Model A Club and the Lee Mills Steamboating Association.

Upon his diagnosis last summer, one unexpected gift of knowing his time was limited was the opportunity for many of these friends — near and far — to visit with him in his final months. Each visitor brought memories and stories from another facet of Ralph’s life: his Vermont Air National Guard buddies, friends from the steamboating community and the Vermont Model A Club, friends from high school, and many friends who shared his deep enthusiasm for antique and Revolutionary War muskets and rifles.

Ralph truly did live his life to the fullest, as evidenced not only by his vast network of friends, but also by his innumerable projects, passions, and adventures, many left unfinished, much to his disappointment. He will be remembered for his contagious energy, adventurous spirit, his vast intellect, his creativity and ability to solve almost every challenge he encountered, his sense of humor, his love for and pride in his family, and his love for life itself.

In his final months, Ralph would often reflect to visiting friends how his family had really “circled the wagons” upon his diagnosis — a fitting metaphor for a father who instilled in his children a love of history and living off the land. He leaves behind his partner of 44 years — the love of his life, Patricia Mayo; his children, Emily Hoyler (Giles) and R. Hamilton Shepard III (Kelifern); his stepchildren, Richard Mayo (Mariah), Megan Mayo (Jan), Sean Mayo, and their children Jack, Margaret, Phoebe, Mary June, Damiana, Arthur, Nola, and Aurora; as well as his brothers, Larry and Richard; nieces and nephews; and many chosen family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m., at the Ripton Community Church in Ripton, Vt. In the meantime, should you be so inclined, pour yourself a sip of scotch and toast to this life well lived. ◊