Richard Jere Shopf's Obituary
Richard Jere Shopf, beloved husband, father, Papa, and friend, 74, of Covington, died on February 14, 2008.
Jere was born February 8, 1934 in Lancaster, PA.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was a member of Chi Phi Fraternity. He also received his Master of Business Administration from Harvard University, graduating with distinction.
Jere was a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served as Captain and continued to serve in the USAF Reserves.
During his successful business career, Jere held various senior executive positions and served on the board of directors with numerous industrial companies and financial institutions. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Newpark Resources, Republic Drilling, Halter Marine, Rice Capital Corporation, and Imperial West Chemical Company. Jere most recently served as Chairman and Chief Restructuring Officer of the Babcock & Wilcox Company and Director of Geneva Steel, Qualitech Steel Holdings, and C.F. Bean Companies. Jere achieved numerous entrepreneurial successes, including the development and opening of four Ruth’s Chris restaurants in Indianapolis (2) and Notre Dame, IN and St. Louis, MO. He was a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), where he served as director. Jere was truly a captain of industry and will be sorely missed as a trusted advisor.
Jere was a long-time resident and board member of Tchefuncte Club Estates.
He was a parishioner and Senior Warden of Christ Church and chaired the Search and Finance Committees.
Jere was a life-long car and boat enthusiast, racing cars in his youth, and enjoying spending time with his family and friends on his boats “Foolish Pleasure” and “Livin’ Large”. He was a board member with the Madisonville Maritime Museum.
He will be dearly missed by his wife, Judy, of 51 years, and by five daughters: Leslie Shopf of Reston, VA; Laurie Sullivan (wife of Pat) of Dallas, TX; Betsy Baker (wife of Joe) of Cary, NC; Kristy Helfand (wife of Bill) of Houston, TX; and Judith Graffeo (wife of Pete) of New Orleans, LA; and 16 grandchildren. He will also be sadly missed by his sister Judith Johnson (wife of Russell) of St. Petersburg, FL.
Services celebrating Jere’s life will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Covington on Monday, February 18, at 11:00 a.m. Friends are invited to join the family at a gathering in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church Outreach Programs, Caritas or CEEP.
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