Former EPCC president Dr. Robert E. Shepack passed away on February 29. His tenure as second president at the college spanned from 1976 to 1990.
Born in 1925 in St. Louis, Shepack attended Princeton and earned his doctorate of education at the University of Florida.
After getting his license in architecture and practicing for 17 years, Shepack, a veteran of the Korean War, became an instructor for architectural and engineering drafting in Missouri and Florida community colleges.
Shepack was dean at the Santa Fe Community College in Florida before being hired as the president of Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio.
“He was proud of being involved in setting up the community college in El Paso,” said Joan B. Shepack, his wife. “His love of young people and his desire to help them prepare for their future meant so much to him.”
Don Cowan, art instructor, said he had fond memories of Shepack.
“He was already here when I came here [EPCC], but other people told me that he really took the college to a new level and was able to realize his projects,” said Cowan.
Shepack started the literacy program at EPCC and the Advanced Technology Center is named after him.
“He was an architect and artist, his wife, too. I remember being invited to his house a couple times with others, and he showed us his drawings,” said Cowan.
According to his wife, Shepack was not in good health, but his spirits made him stronger.
“He went through so many medical problems over the last 10 years of life, but he handled them very well. It helped that he loved life.”
After leaving the college, Shepack spent time practicing his life-long hobby.
“After retiring, he became very interested in improving his skills as a painter. But he was so many things in his life.”
After leaving the college, Shepack spent time practicing his life-long hobby.
"After retiring, he became very interested in improving his skills as a painter. But he was so many things in his life."
Shepack is survived by his wife, three daughters, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The funeral is tentatively scheduled for 3 p.m. on March 8 at the Unitarian Universalist church.
