By Karen Andrew
and Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WYOMING - Kenneth M. Sheppard, a Navy veteran and longtime teacher, died Nov. 4 of heart failure at his home in Wyoming. He was 91.

Mr. Sheppard, who was born in Marietta, began delivering newspapers at age 6. He graduated from Marietta High School in 1930.

"He did everything 110 percent," said his son Jay of Laurel, Md.

He graduated from Miami University in Oxford in 1936. At Miami, he was a Golden Gloves district boxing champion.

In 1941, he earned a master's degree in school administration from Columbia University. .

Mr. Sheppard received his commission in the Navy in 1943 and served aboard a ship in the European theater during World War II. During the Korean War, he was recalled to active duty in Alaska and Oregon. There, he served as an administrative officer and managed a Navy boxing team.

While in the Active Reserves, he served as the U.S. Naval Academy regional recruiter for 10 years before retiring, at the rank of commander, in 1971.

Mr. Sheppard taught 38 years, beginning at Norwood High School in 1937. From 1948-50, he taught history at Wyoming High School and then returned to Norwood, where he taught social sciences and distributive education until his retirement in 1975.

He was also a coach at both schools.

Mr. Sheppard was the first manager of the Wyoming Country Club swimming pool from 1954-79. He served as a deacon, elder and trustee of Wyoming Presbyterian Church and made it his mission to keep the church grounds clean.

In 1993, Mr. Sheppard was chosen as the Wyoming Citizen of the Year.

Other survivors include his wife of 63 years, Ruth; another son, Jon of Avon, Colo.; a daughter, Jan Barnes of Richmond, Ky.; and one grandchild.

Services have been held. Burial was in Spring Grove Mausoleum.

Memorials: Hospice of Cincinnati, 4310 Cooper Ave., Cincinnati 45242 and Wyoming Presbyterian Church, 225 Wyoming Ave., Cincinnati 45215.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com