Bruce Shepherd “Shep” Trant, Sr., a Portsmouth native, passed away August 5th 2012.

Born May 19th, 1926 to the late Catherine Butt Trant and James Parrish Trant, he was predeceased by his devoted wife Sarah Hargroves Trant.

A graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, he served in the United States Navy during WWII. Upon return he was vice president of Trant Lumber Yard and subsequently worked for the City of Portsmouth as Director of Building Inspections for 19 years.

He retired from the Council of American Building Officials in Washington, D.C. where he served as Executive Director and as a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

An avid sailor and boater, Shep was a Commodore at the Portsmouth Boat Club, Past Commander of the Elizabeth River Power Squadron and charter member and past Commander of Nansemond River Power Squadron where he remained very active in predicted log regattas. He was a Hampton One Design and Moth class racer in his youth and told many tales of building a fleet of Moth class boats with a group of friends. Shep also loved fishing, spending time with his family and friends at Sandbridge Beach and playing golf with his wife Flo.

A lifetime member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Shep served as Junior Warden, Senior Warden and was actively involved in numerous church activities until his health declined. He also was a faithful volunteer at Maryview Medical Center for 15 years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Flora Campbell Trant, his brother, James Parrish Trant, Jr, his sisters, Emily Trant Burgwyn and Sue Trant Hill (Sam) and his children Bruce Trant, Jr. (Doris), Anne Hestvedt (Kjell), Webster Trant (Vera), Parrish Trant, Joy Campbell, Mike Lewis (Wanda), Connie Lewis, Robbie Lewis, Brian Lewis, Brent Lewis (Stacy), seventeen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at the Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel Wednesday, August 8, from 7 – 8:30 P.M. A memorial service will be at held 11 A.M. Thursday, August 9, at Trinity Episcopal Church. There will be a reception immediately following the service in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church Book of Remembrance or to the Maryview Medical Center Foundation.