Chester "Chet" Shepard

MISSOULA – Chester "Chet" Shepard died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, due to cancer. He was 64. These pages are filled with accounts of the lives of the recently departed and, we are assured, they are now singing with the angels in heaven. Maybe Chet made the cut, maybe he didn't. If he didn't – well, he couldn't sing anyway.

Toward the end of World War II the U.S. Army, including Pvt. Delbert Shepard, landed in the Philippines to free the islands of Japanese occupation. Pvt. Shepard was given a section of beach to hold. There is some question as to who deserted who, but the upshot was that in a very short time Del Shepard went native. From 1945 until 1952 he pretty well ran free over the greater Manila area, acquiring a wife and four sons along the way. Chet was the second of these sons, born in 1948. The authorities finally caught up with the wayward soldier and shipped him stateside. After some time, the remainder of the family was brought over and reunited on American soil. In early 1953, the family moved to Anaconda where there was employment at the copper smelter. The family continued to grow if not exactly prosper, eventually including 16 children: Bob, Mike, Steve, Del, Jim, Kelley, Dean, Marvin Shepard of Deer Lodge, Laurie, Susan, Carrie, Jenny, Barbara, Jeannine and Nanci. From these humble beginnings came Chet Shepard.

Chet graduated from Anaconda High School in 1966, from the University of Montana in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in physics, and from Oregon State University in 1980 with a Ph.D. in physics. He then began a successful career as a research scientist that spanned nearly 30 years. After 20 years at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., he retired in 2008.

Chet's life wasn't long, but it wasn't short either. His days were blessed. From the hardscrabble days in Anaconda grew a large and strong family of which he was a big part. He had wonderful and true friends over many decades who he thought were better people than himself. And finally he had a wife to share life with. Chet married Gail Hollo in 2001 and they stayed that way until death did indeed them part. Gail was by far the most important person in his life and he loved her dearly.

Chet was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife; three stepchildren; three grandchildren; 15 brothers and sisters and over 50 nephews and nieces.

The family would like to thank Dr. William Nichols and the staff at Montana Cancer Specialists for their excellent care of Chet over the last seven and one half years. Your efforts helped him live a mostly normal life during his illness. We would also like to thank the staff at St. Patrick Hospital, Community Rehab Center, and Community Hospital for the compassionate care they gave Chet throughout this last month.

Memorial service will be held in July. Condolences may be sent to the Shepard family at 4515 Mark Court, Missoula, MT 59803.

As Chet's life was coming to an end, he recalled a poem called the "Outlaw," which reflected his thoughts. We dedicate this poem to honor Chet – he was truly a great man.
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Read Chester Shepard's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.