I was informed today that Gary (INU) Shepard passed away.

Athough he was not a member of this group, a lot of people knew him in VP40 and elsewhere in his Naval career.

Here is his Obit

Obituary

Garland (Gary) R Shepard
1944-2021
Cameron, MO- Garland (Gary) R Shepard was born February 2, 1944. Gary graduated from Smithville High School, Smithville, MO in 1961. He then attended William Jewell College in Liberty, MO for two years before joining the Navy.
While in the Navy Garland served his country with distinction. One incident during his time of service occurred on October 26, 1978. The Navy P-3C Ocean Surveillance and Anti- Submarine plane Gary was serving on ditched in the open sea between Alaska and Russia near the Aleutian Trench. Out of the 15 servicemen on the aircraft, 10 survived and were picked up by a Russian trawler. After nine days, Master Chief Garland Shepard and the other surviving servicemen were returned home.
Upon retirement from the Navy, Garland lived in Cameron, MO and worked in the computer industry in Leavenworth, KS for 25 years. He was an avid stamp collector. He was a member of the German Philatelic Society and the St. Joseph stamp club.
Garland passed away Friday, January 15, 2021 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital in St. Joseph, MO after a long battle with cancer.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Willard (Dub) and Mary Justice. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia “Pat” (Violett) Shepard, of Cameron, MO; his children Crystal (Patrick) Shepard of Columbia, MO, Michael David Shepard and wife Stephanie of Republic, MO; 2 grandchildren, Simeon Willard Lester Shepard and Gwen Donna Ellen Shepard of Republic, MO.
Services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Poland-Thompson Chapel. Cameron, MO.
For online condolences, visit www.polandthompson.com
Arrangements under the direction of Poland-Thompson Funeral Home, Cameron, MO.

I wish you all a Happy

AND Healthy 2021

Guy Fisk

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy 2021.

Hope to see you all at our VP40 reunion SOMETIME in 2021.

Stay safe and Laging Handa

Guy Fisk

I must report that we are no further along with our next reunion than we were in Sept. Everything is still on hold for now. I was hoping to have our next reunion in late Feb or March 2021 to replace our cancelled reunion. However it is looking like that will NOT happen. If this Covid 19 does not disappear OR the vaccine is not available soon I will make the commitment to have our next reunion in Oct 2021. It will be at the same hotel (if possible) in Florida. I will make the decision in early Jan 2021.

Until then everyone please stay safe, stay healthy, and have a Great holiday season.

I must remind everyone that have not paid their dues for 2020 or 2019 (and that is the vast majority of you) please send them to me.

Guy Fisk

575 Sandy Flat Mountain Road

Fletcher, NC 28732

I was informed by George Perkins that Jerry Stevick passed away recently. He had been sick for quite awhile.

Jerry was in VP40 from 1962-1965. He was a LT and PPC of crew 9

I am pleased to announce a new member to our group.

ERNIE FILLIPUCCI

Ernie was in VP40 from 1969-1972. He was an AO1 and flew as an ordnanceman in crew 5.

WELCOME ABOARD Ernie.

Please give a HOWDY to Ernie.

I posted Hal’s Obit today. check it out on the Dep/Arr Tab comment section

I have had to cancel the reunion planned for Oct 7-11,2020 due to COVID-19

I can not take the risk of someone of us attending the reunion, catching this virus. There are still problems with the airlines and reservations as well as the hotel not guaranteeing the availability of the restaurant and bar being open on our dates. I do not take this lightly and I had to make a decision by 8/1/2020 or pay a lot of money if we had to cancel later.

I will try and reschedule the reunion for late Feb or March 20201. If that cannot happen we will schedule it for Oct 2021 at the same place in Florida.

STAY SAFE and see ya ?????? who knows when

Guy Fisk

LAGING HANDA

I was informed last night by Bob Collins that Hap Peper passed away friday 7/24/2020 at his home. He had a massive heart attack and was gone quickly.

I have talked to his wife Joan and she will provide a OBIT I will publish here. His funeral will be in a year if possible.
I had just talked to him 2 weeks ago and he was improving and he hoped he would be in a walker by Sept and come to the reunion.

Alas he did not make it. We have lost 3 of these guys recently. ENOUGH ALREADY. I understand a couple more of them are not in good health.

This is getting down to the last few people who flew the P5M-1 in the Fifties.

I will publish Hals OBIT when I get it. Reach out to his wife Joan if you remember them please.

I was informed by Hap Peper that P.G. (Bud) Smith passed away 3-4 months ago. If I get more info I will post it on our site.