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Mark Shepherd Jr., the former Texas Instruments chief executive and chairman, died February 4, 2009, at age 86. He joined the company in 1948 and helped lead its growth from a semiconductor manufacturer into a global electronics company.
Who was Mark Shepherd Jr.?
Shepherd was a Dallas-born electrical engineer and longtime Texas Instruments executive. He was born January 18, 1923, and graduated from high school at 14. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Southern Methodist University in 1942 and a master’s degree in the same field from the University of Illinois in 1947. During World War II, he served as a U.S. Navy lieutenant specializing in radar and electronics maintenance aboard the USS Tucson. The National Academy of Engineering’s memorial biography says he built his first crystal radio at about age seven.
What did Shepherd do at Texas Instruments?
Shepherd joined Geophysical Service Inc.—the predecessor to Texas Instruments—in 1948 and advanced through engineering and semiconductor-management roles. TI’s historical biography records his executive roles as follows:
| Period | Role |
|---|---|
| 1961 | Executive vice president and chief operating officer |
| 1963 | Joined TI’s board of directors |
| 1967 | President |
| 1969 | Chief executive officer |
| 1976–1984 | Chairman and CEO |
| 1984–1985 | Chairman and chief corporate officer |
| 1985–April 1988 | Chairman |
Those titles describe how his responsibilities changed over time: he became president in 1967, CEO in 1969 and chairman in 1976. The University of Illinois alumni profile also identifies those milestones.
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- Makes understanding math and science topics quicker and easier — ideal for middle school through college
- Built-in MathPrint feature allows you to input and view math symbols, formulas and stacked fractions exactly as they appear in textbooks
- Graph in vibrant colors to make faster, stronger connections. Powered by a TI Rechargeable Battery that can last up to one month on a single charge.
- 4-year subscription for the TI-84 Plus CE online calculator included with purchase
- Lightweight yet durable enough to withstand the demands of the classroom year after year
Why did his leadership matter to the semiconductor industry?
The National Academy of Engineering credits Shepherd’s engineering and manufacturing expertise with helping move semiconductor technologies from laboratories into mass production and establishing TI as a leading electronics company. His tenure also coincided with the company’s expansion of semiconductor operations in Asia and other regions. EE Times notes that innovations associated with TI during this broader period included transistor radios, handheld calculators and semiconductors used worldwide; that context should not be mistaken for a claim that Shepherd personally invented those products.
At the time of Shepherd’s death, TI chairman, president and CEO Rich Templeton called him “a driving force in establishing TI as one of the first global electronics companies.”
Rank #2
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When did Shepherd leave TI?
The National Academy of Engineering says Shepherd retired from active employment in 1985, remained chairman until 1988 and continued as a general director until 1993. His leadership at TI therefore extended beyond his years as its CEO, through the chairmanship and later board service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When and where did Mark Shepherd die?
Shepherd died on February 4, 2009, at his ranch in Quitman, Texas. Contemporary reporting attributed his death to complications of pulmonary fibrosis. He was 86.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Color Screen. The screen size is 320 x 240 pixels (3.5 inches diagonal) and the screen resolution is 125 DPI; 16-bit color
- Rechargeable battery included. Can last up to two weeks on a single charge
- Handheld-Software Bundle. Includes the TI-Inspire CX Student Software delivering enhanced graphing capabilities and other functionality.
- Thin Design and lightweight with easy touchpad navigation.Quick alpha keys
- Six different graph styles and 15 colors to select from for differentiating the look of each graph drawn
Rank #4
- Ideal for curricula in which graphing technology may not be permitted.
- MultiView display shows multiple calculations at the same time on screen.
- MathPrint shows math expressions, symbols and stacked fractions as they appear in textbooks
- Ideal for high school through college: Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, Calculus, Biology, etc.
- Convert fractions, decimals and terms including Pi into alternate representations.
Rank #3
- View multiple calculations at the same time: Compare results and explore patterns on-screen with the MultiView display that supports up to four lines
- See math exactly as it appears in textbooks: Display math expressions, symbols and stacked fractions exactly the way they appear in textbooks — no need to adapt to a technical syntax; provides quick access to frequently used functions
- Scientific notation output: View scientific notation with the proper superscripted exponents and see the output in scientific notation
- Explore (x,y) table of values: Students can easily explore an (x,y) table of values for a given function automatically or by entering specific x values
- The TI-30XS MultiView scientific calculator is ideal for general math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Statistics, general science, Biology and Chemistry
Sources and further reading
- National Academy of Engineering memorial biography, with career, education, military service and retirement details.
- Texas Instruments historical biography, with executive titles and dates.
- EE Times obituary, with contemporary reporting on his death and TI’s work.
- Memorial Tributes: Volume 16, a National Academies Press volume published in 2012 that includes a chapter on Shepherd.
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