David Russell Hepburn

David R. Hepburn, Jr. PhD, age 75, died peacefully on March 21, 2017. He was born on February 14, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee, to David R. Hepburn, Sr. and Lillie Williams Hepburn. David attended Memphis State University, working his way through by delivering newspapers, and earned degrees in Mathematics and Chemistry. He then went to the University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss") in Oxford on a scholarship and earned his PhD in Chemistry. Dr. Hepburn enjoyed an outstanding career as a research chemist until retiring in 2007 Upon retirement, he moved to Bradenton with his wife Nina Salley Hepburn (née Siler). David joined a group of men dedicated to saving and restoring wooden boats, and he volunteered at the boat shop in Cortez, FL. His dedication to public service extended to an active membership in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. David and Nina enjoyed travelling together and playing bridge. He is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Pam Salley Tipping Racette. He is survived by his wife Nina of the Bradenton home; sons David R. Hepburn, III of Dallas, Texas, and Dr. R. M. Salley (Linda) of Murray, Kentucky; daughters Rachelle Carla Hepburn of Memphis, Tennessee, and Angela Faye Stephens (Larry) of Nashville, Tennessee; sister Gloria Hepburn of Germantown, Tennessee; brother James Hepburn (Ann) of Knoxville, Tennessee; 8 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and many nieces & nephews. Interment will be in the memorial garden of Christ Episcopal Church in Bradenton, Florida, where he was a member of the church.