Katherine Frieda Shepard, PT, PhD, FAPTA, passed away on Feb. 9, 2023, after a brief illness. She was 82.
Born in Auburn, New York, to Frieda (Porten) Shepard and Edward Shepard, she spent her early life in Skaneateles and in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Kay graduated from Skaneateles Central High School and earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology (Hood College) and physical therapy (Ithaca College).
She then attended Stanford University and earned two master’s degrees – one in sociology and one in physical therapy – and went on to receive a PhD from Stanford. At the time she received her PhD in the late 1970s, Dr. Shepard was among the 1% of physical therapists in the United States to hold the degree. During her career as a researcher and educator, Dr. Shepard authored or co-authored more than 60 papers, book chapters and textbooks. She served on the faculty at Stanford until 1985 and then found her way to Temple University in Philadelphia where she served on the faculty and as the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies at the College of Allied Health Professions. She made remarkable contributions through her accomplishments across all areas of practice, education, research, publication and service for which she was recognized both nationally and internationally. In 2007, Dr. Shepard received the Mary McMillan Lecture Award which is described by the American Physical Therapy Association as “the most distinguished honor an active APTA member physical therapist or life member can receive.”
Kay is survived by her devoted life partner of 42 years, Rosalie Lopopolo PT, PhD. Kay and Rose traveled the world and did everything together as one – their love for each other is everlasting. She is also survived by her beloved younger brother Norman Shepard and his wife Jackie. She was pre-deceased by her sister, whom she adored, Barbara Shepard Feigenbaum (Martin Feigenbaum, MD). Kay is also survived by her niece and nephews: Dr. Amy Ringue and her husband Alan November and their children Christopher and Eleanor; the Hon. Judge Bryan Feigenbaum and his wife Wendy and their children Vivi, Jake, and Ginger; and Dr. (Capt.) Matt Feigenbaum and his wife Kathy and their children Kasey (and Kevin), Sam (and Laura), Colby (and Derek), and Austyn (and Ashton). Among Kay’s adored close family relatives are Sue (Porten) and Robert Reichel, Michael and Jan Porten and family, Wilma and Dan Kehoe and family, Sister Ellen Kuhl, William Kuhl, and Carol Soules and family. All were greatly loved by Kay, as were her physical therapy colleagues across the country and around the world.
Kay loved nature in all of its glory, in particular birds, butterfly gardens, and seashells. She loved living in California, Philadelphia, the Adirondacks, and the beaches of Florida. She was unpretentious, wise, caring, humorous, and touched the lives of all those who knew her. She was the embodiment of the Golden Rule. She will be greatly missed, and words can’t express the loss that we feel.
Plans for a celebration of Kay Shepard’s life, to be held on her much-loved Sanibel Island, are being developed. Those wishing to celebrate her life are encouraged to make a donation (online) to The World Central Kitchen.
