Shepherd Welsh, 78, of Dresden, died on June 16 at home with his family at his side.
Born March 13, 1929, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of Harold and Gertrude Welsh. He was an avid reader as a child, with a special interest in American history, and enjoyed writing his own stories.
In 1948, he enlisted in the U. S. Army and served four years in Germany and the Pacific. After his tour he received an honorable discharge and moved back to New York.
He attended Columbia University where he met Ellen Fassett of Boston, Mass. They were married in 1953.
He began his advertising career as a copywriter and worked his way up to creative writer and director. In 1972, he and his family moved to Damariscotta, where he continued as a freelance writer and became involved in the political scene as a speechwriter.
In 1978, he moved to Bath. He published three books, Scarecrow Soldiers (1981), Tales from the American Attic (1988), and Gettysburg (1990). He officially retired from speechwriting in 1998 to concentrate on family, friends, golf and travel. He met his companion, Judith Clarke, in 1992. They moved to Dresden in 2004 and married in October 2006.
He is survived by his wife, Judith Clarke, of Dresden; his former wife, Ellen F. Welsh of Damariscotta; son, Mark H. and wife Billie Welsh of Bath; daughters, Rosalind Welsh of Damariscotta, and Samantha and husband Wesley Adams of Bath; and grandchildren, Chelsea Hanna, Michael Welsh, and Emily and Noah Adams.
At his request, there will be no services. The family plans a private tribute.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Rd., Brunswick, ME 04011 or the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta, ME 04330, in honor of Shep’s dogs, Ollie and Chester.
