Walt Shepard grew up in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and joined Boy Scout Troop 1 at the age of 11. He worked summers at Camp Cachalot in Wareham, Massachusetts, from age 14 to age 21. He earned both his Eagle Scout Award and the Silver Award in Exploring in 1958. He attended college at the New Bedford Institute of Technology and graduated with a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Walt worked for Allied Chemical (now Honeywell) for 37 years in their Syracuse, NY area facilities. He held increasing levels of responsibilities over his career, including Project Engineer, Maintenance General Foreman, Supervisor of Reliability Engineering, Superintendent of Maintenance & Services, and Manager of Engineering, Maintenance, & Services for a 620-person multi-level operation overseeing a $35M/yr. After the Solvay plant shut down, he became the Manager of Demolition, Remediation, and Special Projects.
Walt is an active member of the National Ski Patrol and has held several leadership positions within that organization. He received the National Ski Patrol’s Distinguished Service Award for his leadership in Outdoor Emergency Care Training.
Walt’s Scouting experiences have continued throughout his life and include Assistant Waterfront Director of Camp Cachalot; Institutional Representative; Explorer Post Advisor; Explorer Post Committee Member; Pack Committee Chair; Scoutmaster; Troop Committee Chair; Troop Committee Member; Venture Crew Advisor; District Committee Chair; Council Executive Board; Council Executive Committee; VP District Operations; and Council Commissioner.
Walt has also received the following Scouting honors: District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, Onondaga District’s William Hillcourt Exceptional Scouter Award, Old Goat # 33, Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner Honoree, and District Committee Key.
An avid canoeist, Walt’s other interests include woodworking, wilderness camping, skiing, and bicycling. Walt has been married to his wife, Nancy, for 58 years. They recently received the Syracuse Diocese Immaculata Award for service to their church and community. They are proud parents of 5 children: Laurie, Tom (Life Scout), Mary Jane, Mark (Eagle Scout), and Brian (Eagle Scout). They have 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.