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. On behalf of the space program Alan Shepard helped launch, and all those that the space program has and will inspire, we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Louise, their children, and the rest of the Shepard family. 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.