It is with great regret that we report the passing of P/M RT Shepherd of Cardenden, Fife, and formerly of Dysart and Dundonald Pipe Band.
Bob was 81 and had been ill for some time. Bob Shepherd was a double winner of the World Pipe Band Championship and proprietor of his own bagpipe making firm.
His instruments won countless major awards. As a teacher Bob was unsurpassed taking boys from his local Ballingry School and training them for Grade 1.
He was an innovator and introduced a raft of new bagpipe products on to the market.
A fuller obituary will be carried later but for now we offer sincere condolences to Dorothy and family.
At a time in the 1970s, when the pipe band scene was dominated by the big 4, Glasgow Polis, Edinburgh Polis, Shotts and Muirheads, Bob Shepherd did the unthinkable, and showed that a bunch of “scruffy” schoolkids, that he had taught personally, could rise to the very top of the Pipe Band World. This gave encouragement to many other bands in later years (not least Inveraray) to emulate this success. Well done Bob.
Very sad to hear. My family’s condolences to his. Bob and Dysart were a huge influence back in the 70s. I remember well their visit to Inverness. One hell of a party at my parents house after their win. A good friend of my father’s, who also passed a few years ago. God speed, Bob, you’ll be missed.
A huge loss to the piping world. R.I.P. Bob.
Bob and the Dysart band were an inspiration to those of us trying to develop bands in those days and our band followed his example of ‘homegrown’ juniors. He made a very succesful and fruitful visit to South Africa in 1983 and encouraged our ambition to compete in Scotland as we did in 1984.
I met him several times and at the launching of the green goretex canmore bag in Belgium. He was always friendly and listen to the customers.
I purchased many things for my band at his premises in Cardenden.
Sad for his passing away, a great man.
Really sorry to hear about Robert Shepherd’s passing. My condolences to his family.