The park down by the Hudson River in Highland has always been known as the Bob Shepard Highland Landing Park, but that became official with the recent dedication and plaque in his name that has been attached to a large rock beside the Frank Skartados Environmental Center. Shepard passed away in 2007 at the age of 65 and the ceremony was held on October 13, on what would have been his 80th birthday.

Shepard’s obituary notes that he served in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Stewart Air Force Base in Newburgh, where he met his wife Barbara.

The Shepards moved to Highland in 1962 where Bob served as a volunteer fireman for 43 years, a town Police Officer for 14 years, a cub scout leader, co-chairman of Camp Wendy with his wife, joined the Highland Rotary, the Senior Citizens, the American Legion and the Hudson Valley Woodcarvers. He was also a member of the Adonai Lodge #178 F & A.M. He served as a Town Councilman for 8 years and as Supervisor for six years.

The Dedication, which was led by friend and Councilman Lenny Auchmoody, started off with opening comments from John Fraino. He said Shepard had the initial idea of turning the old oil depot into a beautiful town park. Fraino was initially skeptical and was against the idea, calling the venture far too expensive, especially because of the environmental remediation that would be needed. Shepard too questioned the wisdom of creating a park but eventually decided to move the project forward by begging for grants, donations, seeking volunteers to do hard work and through sheer will and dedication was able to eventually get the town to purchase and create the park.

Fraino said he was glad he was wrong about the idea because, “now its a showpiece of the town.”

Rotarian Christine Giangrasso said, “Bob was one of our guys and a charter member in 1985. He followed our motto Service Above Self to the fullest. Bob helped others whenever he could and he was a dynamic person and I was proud to know him in Rotary and personally and this is a beautiful place.”

Nancy Hammond served on the town council during Shepard’s tenure.

“When I think of Bob I think of these words; leadership, fairness, visionary, compassion, respect and desert (he loved chocolate cake). He believed in the town and worked tirelessly to attract new and retain local businesses while supporting the town’s natural resources and our parks.”

Hammond said when Shepard was in office a resolution was passed to purchase the park.
“The park has come a long since its brownfield roots and is a destination for families, students, organizations and river users; Bob would be proud,” she said.

Alan Van De Bogart said this park has been a lot of work for a lot of people for a lot of years and Bob certainly was in favor of it and wanted to see it through and he would be really proud today for the work that was done here and all the effort that was put in and the recognition that he’s getting now.”

Matt Smith said Bob was his friend and also a friend of the Town of Lloyd. Once he was convinced of what an asset the park would be to the town and, “every step forward delighted him and that’s why after his untimely passing I proposed to the Town Board to name the park after Bob. He would be very pleased with this tribute to him and I’m quite sure Bob hangs out down here.”

Richard Gerentine said this is a “very big day for the Town of Lloyd. I think everyone should take a step back and look around at exactly what you have here. It is very precious and there are not too many other townships in Ulster County that have an exhibit like this, it’s a tribute to the Town of Lloyd. Bob was a pusher and was very instrumental in this and he should be thanked and always remembered. Happy Birthday Bob.”

The plaque was unveiled by Shepard’s grandsons Adam and Ryan as Bob’s son Gary and his wife Judy looked on. The grandsons were young when Bob passed but said the project was very important to him, with both in agreement that, “he wanted it done and it got done.”