Dr E W Shepherd, who until his retirement in March was physician superintendent and medical co-ordinator of Leavesden Hospital, Hertfordshire, died on 14 July aged 55.
Dr Eric William Shepherd was born on 8 March 1926 in London and educated at Emmanuel School and King's College Hospital Medical School. He graduate in 1949 and took the conjoint qualification in the same year. After deciding to make psychiatry his career he was appointed a trainee psychiatrist and served at St Ebba's, the Manor, and Horton hospitals, Epsom. He obtained the DPM in 1952. In 1953 he chose to specialise in mental subnormality and was appointed senior registrar at Leavesden. He rose rapidly through the hierarchy to become physician superintendent. He retained his interest in general psychiatry, however, and after serving as clinical assistant in the department of psychiatry at New End Hospital, Hampstead, was appointed consultant psychiatrist to the Royal Free Hospital when the two hospitals were amalgamated, an appointment he still held at the time of his death.
Dr Shepherd's skill and time were in great demand. He was a member of the committee of inquiry into South Ockenden Hospital, a long-serving member of the mental health review tribunal, and often acted as independent consultant psychiatrist on behalf of the Home Office. For a number of years he was an honorary visiting psychiatric consultant to the Jewish Welfare Board. Dr Shepherd identified himself closely with the affairs of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, of which he was elected a foundation fellow in 1971. He served as a member of council from 1977 to 1981 and on several important committees and ad-hoc subcommittees. His major contribution was perhaps in his capacity as secretary to the study tours subcommittee, when the complicated and arduous organisation of these tours abroad devolved on him. His careful attention to detail coupled with his persuasive charm ensured their success.
It is a cruel irony that Dr Shepherd decided to retire early from his position at Leavesden to devote his time and energy to forensic psychiatry, a subspeciality in which he had already established his reputation. His untimely death leaves a gap among senior forensic psychiatrists that will be difficult to fill.
Dr Shepherd is survived by his wife Pamela, daughter Nicola, and son Nigel and leaves a host of friends and colleagues whose lives are the poorer for his passing. - HRR.
Source: British Medical Journal Volume 283, 8 August 1981, Page 444