He was 74. Shepard died at Community Hospital on the Monterey Peninsula, according to his family. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Funeral services are pending.
The entire NASA family is deeply saddened by the passing of Alan Shepard. Alan Shepard lived to explore the heavens. Alan Shepard gave all of us the privilege to participate in the beginnings of America's great adventure of human space exploration. He will be greatly missed. The program has lost one of its greatest supporters and a true friend.