SHEPPARD, David “Dave”

DAVID “DAVE” SHEPPARD November 26, 1936 ~ May 3, 2025 David Henry Sheppard of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at Chinook Regional Hospital on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the age of 88 years.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Jean; daughter Kathleen (Lethbridge); son in law Rob Miller; sister Judith (Lethbridge) and brother Alan (Ft. Worth Texas).
He was predeceased by his parents Rex and Joy Sheppard of Apache Junction, Arizona.
Dave was born in Lacombe, Alberta on November 26, 1936, and moved to Lethbridge as a young child. Dave loved the natural world, and after graduating high school in Lethbridge, he attended the University of Alberta where he applied his interest in animal behaviour and ecology to obtain a B.Sc in Conservation Biology and a M.Sc in Wildlife Ecology (studying mule deer). Following his time at the University of Alberta, Dave studied at the University of Saskatchewan, earning a Ph.D in Animal Ecology for his research on chipmunk behavior. He received many rewards and scholarships throughout his years of study.
While at the University of Saskatchewan, Dave met Jean who was pursuing a Masters of Science Degree. They married in 1965.
In 1966 he joined the faculty of the biology department at the University of Regina, where he taught for eleven years. In 1977 he moved, with Jean and daughter Kathleen, to the foothills of southern Alberta, west of Pincher Creek. They built their log home there and grew extensive gardens. The home was heated with wood and Dave did the collecting, sawing and chopping of firewood by himself, along with the snow shovelling, market gardening and fence repairing.
Dave loved the mountains, and he spent much of his free time exploring and hiking in Waterton Lakes National Park and the Castle River area. In 1990, Dave and a group of like-minded people formed the Castle Crown Wilderness Coalition to advocate for the protection of the Castle area. Dave received a Parks Canada Award for his work in trying to protect the Castle in 1996. However, it wasn’t until 2017 that Dave saw his dream of a protected Castle Wilderness come to fruition with legislative protection when the Alberta government announced the formation of the Castle Provincial Park and Castle Wildland Provincial Park, ensuring the long-term protection of the area.
In 2014, Dave and Jean decided to move to a less onerous life in Lethbridge. While he still could, Dave hiked the coulees along the Oldman River.
Dave was buried in a wicker casket in a green burial on the edge of the coulees at Royal View Cemetery in north Lethbridge.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dave’s name directly to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, EcoJustice Canada, or the Castle- Crown Wilderness Coalition or the same via CanadaHelps.org website.
Everyone is welcome to attend a gathering of friends to honour Dave’s life, which will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the HORIZON VILLAGE AMENITIES BUILDING, 135, JERRY POTTS BLVD W, Lethbridge, Alberta.
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.