Obituaries

We property owners in the Isthmus have lost a true gentle MAN in every sense of the word. The experiences Bert shared are but just a few of the hundreds . . . thousands . . . of similar stories that those of us who came to know and love Bob Shepherd could share. He was always there to help you find exactly what you in came to buy and to offer a kind word that came to be even more appreciated with the advent of the "big box" store! Our heartfelt sympathy to Steve, Tom and the rest of the Shepherd clan that was blessed to have Bob as their patriarch. The Ward Family homeowners from East Main Street.

I got to know Gary and family while Bob was at Oakwood. I am currently out on medical but want to convey my sincerely condolences in the loss of their father. Dianna Watters

Dear Steve and Tom, I was saddened to hear of your Dad's passing. It was a blessing to get to know him over the years. He treated everyone with dignity and respect. I can honestly say, I never saw him angry! With deepest sympathy, your old customer( and friend ), Matt Bell

A lovely man, kind, generous, and always friendly. A true Willy St neighborhood treasure. My condolences to his loving family. Judith Landsman

I am sorry that Laurie and I will be out of state for Bob's memorial and funeral.... so I offer some thoughts here. Bob was a pillar of our community -- a person who cared about everyone, who made sure he had whatever we may need somewhere in the store, and who was a delight to share time with! He cared, he laughed, and he knew we all want a better world.... and made sure we had the hardware to build that better world somewhere in the store! I met Bob personally in 1989, as I was running for City Council and had forgotten Laurie's birthday -- which was 2 weeks before the election. I knew Laurie had talked about wanting a wheelbarrow for the yard, so I went in and Bob found the perfect one in the rafters of the garage out back -- a big one, made of steel, with wood handles .... the contractors' wheelbarrow. When he asked why I was getting this on a snowy March day, I said it was for my wife's birthday. He looked at me, gave me a little grin and asked me to come back and tell him how this gift was received by Laurie. A few days later I went in and told him that she LOVED the wheelbarrow! Bob said, "I think I love her!" -- and told me to send her in -- he wanted to meet this extraordinary woman! Another time my grandparents' very special big heavy floor lamp -- with a 3-way light bulb that has a very large diameter base (where the bulb screws in to the socket) had been knocked over and damaged. I found the only replacement bulb in the world when I asked Bob if he'd ever heard of such a bulb. He had 3 of them -- as someone would come in on occasion for one. So I bought them all. Bob then asked how how it was damaged and after hearing the story, he said -- that big glass globe on the top must have broken too. I said yes -- but I knew I'd NEVER find another one of those 1930-style items. He got a ladder and climbed up to pull a glass globe down from on top of the shelf, brushed the dust off of it and said, "Oh, we get about one request for this every year, so I keep one up here." Today that light is in my living room -- 80 years after my Grandparents likely purchased it -- and it works fully because of Bob's thoughtfulness. Bob's Christmas Eve birthday celebrations in the store were the highlight of the winter holiday season..... the famous holiday drinks of Tom & Jerry's .... spiral-cut ham.... a huge collection of neighbors, contractors, and friends filled the store to celebrate "Hardware Bob and the Baby Jesus"! What fun!!! And I'd make sure to bring some of Laurie's peanut brittle as a gift for Bob..... who sent Laurie the sweetest thank you cards every year! Thank you, Bob.... and thanks to Steve and Tom for carrying on this special legacy of truly caring about each of us in this community. We all owe you a huge debt of gratitude .... and much more!