Robert Edward Sheppard

Robert (“Bobby”) Edward Sheppard, 65, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina entered into eternal rest, on March 20, 2023, surrounded by his beloved family. Born October 16, 1957, in Charleston, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Edward Berlin Sheppard and Helen Dodds Sheppard. He was a 1975 graduate of Wando High School, where he wrestled and played football and first earned his nickname “Shake”. Bobby was granted an appointment to the US Merchant Marine Academy, but ultimately turned it down to stay home and help his mother raise his younger siblings as his father had just passed away. He went on to attend the College of Charleston and was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, where the legendary “Shake” name permeated the dance floor. Bobby couldn’t resist shaggin’ to beach music – one of his all-time favorite pastimes.

Following his father’s footsteps into the shipping industry, Bobby worked on the waterfront for Maersk for more than 25 years until his division was purchased by DCLI in 2012 where he continued to work. He especially enjoyed giving port tours and had a reputation for being the de facto “Mayor of Charleston” – a title that made him smile.

Bobby was an avid sports fan. He excelled at racquetball, squash, tennis and his most recent passion, pickleball. He also loved to cheer on the Ashley Hall Panthers, where his daughter attended school and played volleyball, as well as the Wando Warriors. He was also a member of the Snee Farm Country Club, where he loved to cheer on the swim team and meet up with his buddies on Thursday nights.

Bobby was a member of Christ Our King Catholic Church and also attended masses at Sacred Heart on Huger Street, where his mother and father were married. His devotion was most notable via Facebook where he took great pride in calling on his “prayer warriors” to pray for others, many times by name.

Regardless of what walk of life you knew him from, he is most known for his booming personality, and his God-given knack to make someone smile or laugh. His life-long passion for making people happy and his unparalleled generosity will continue to be his legacy.

Bobby is survived by his beloved daughter, Sarah (“Sally”) Hennessy Sheppard, the complete center of his universe. He is survived by the best siblings: Rosanne Sheppard (Jim Monaco), Alan Joseph (Carmen) Sheppard, Judy Sheppard and Edward Berlin (Leanne) Sheppard. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews; Corey Stephen (Carly) Chavis, Jordan Anne Sheppard, Alston James Sheppard and Mason Berlin Sheppard. Bobby was loved by countless friends, including his best friend, Vince Marino. He is also survived by a large group of loving cousins, members of his “extended” family, his ex-wife and mother of his daughter, Mary Stewart Murphey, his “husband in law” John Murphey, and grandchildren: Liam and Hudson Banks and Karston and Quinn Banks. Bobby took immense pride in providing fatherly advice and council to many others over the years.

A visitation will be held Sunday, March 26, 2023 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, with a Rosary at 1:15 pm at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant SC 29464

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 27, 2023, at 10:30am at Christ Our King Catholic Church, 1149 Russell Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. The Rite of Committal will immediately follow at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens, 1308 Mathis Ferry Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464.

Bobby was a supporter of many charities, including the American Heart Association and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to one of these organizations or a charity that is dear to your heart.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant at 1520 Rifle Range Road.