Sheppard Black, 81, died the evening of January 23, 2009, at Kimes Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He retired from Ohio University in 2003 as Special Collections Librarian Emeritus after more than two decades of service. He earned his A.B. from Miami of Ohio and Master's Degrees from Columbia and Kent State Universities.

"Shep" moved to Athens in 1960 to head the trade book department at Logan's bookstore. His personal book collection reflected his pastime pursuits. Books on automobile restoration and collection led to his enjoyment of MG's and membership in the Ohio Chapter of the New England MGT Register. His wife of 40 years, Peg, survives.