Rod Shepard was a board member all too briefly (2015-2016) but his short time did not preclude how hard he worked to help VtF’s and Oregon Coast Community Forest Association’s attempt to acquire 1060 acres form Hancock Timber, the south Yachats’ viewshed.
A resident of Dallas, Rod attended Oregon State University, Oregon Technical Institute, and Oregon College of Education. He received a degree in Surveying. Rod served in the United States Army, 46th Engineering Division from 1967-1969, in Vietnam. He built and maintained roads and bridges and served as a surveyor while in the service. Rod worked for Boise Cascade as a Road Engineer for many years.
When Boise was purchased by Forest Capital Partners, Rod continued to work as a Road Engineer until he transferred to their real estate division upon retiring in 2011. Rod served in many volunteer capacities, many that involved children. Rod was also passionate about clean water and air, making remarkable efforts to convince Boise to spend millions to reduce their pollution from the land they owned near or on the Siletz River. He had conferred with VtF while working with Forest Capital. So, when VtF continued efforts to buy the viewshed, Rod contacted VtF’s chair, Andrea Scharf, and offered to help. He gave countless hours and effort to the acquisition attempt. If he did not suddenly die on February 8, 2016, he would have continued his work with our organization. We miss you, Rod.
