The Excalibur Seasoning family has lost a gifted colleague and trusted friend in Tyler Shepke. The 37-year-old passed away from cancer in June.

Tyler graduated from Illinois State University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, a testament to his profound love for all things science and chemistry. As the Manager of Research and Development and a Certified Food Scientist, Tyler’s contributions were immeasurable during his thirteen years with our company.

“His passion fueled his career here,” says John Brewer, Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “Tyler excelled as a highly motivated food scientist. He was exceptional at developing new applications and products and providing innovative solutions.”

John Brewer with Tyler Shepke at the Annual Meat Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, March 2024

Tyler often spoke with great pride about his work and the team at Excalibur. He eagerly accepted requests for interviews to share his expertise in the trade media, including articles in Food Business News, Supermarket Perimeter and National Provisioner magazines over the years. Tyler posted about his experiences on social media.

“Thank you for the opportunity to share my insights and to bring attention to a great company, Excalibur Seasoning. I work with the best in the industry at Excalibur and am really excited to see what is coming down the pipeline, being a leader in custom/private label and retail in the protein market.”

Fred Wilkinson, Chief Editor of the National Provisioner and food industry news and trends writer for more than 25 years, recalls Tyler’s contributions.

“Tyler’s willingness to share his insights on flavor trends with our audience provided depth and context for innovations shaping new flavor development,” he said.

Tyler was deeply committed to Excalibur’s mission of partnership and innovation, once explaining, “We work closely with our customers to develop blends tailored to their specific ingredient, integrity, and taste requirements. Our commitment to clean-label products, driven by innovations in preservation and microorganism control, allows us to introduce creative ingredients while maintaining product quality.”

While Tyler’s passing leaves a profound void, his incredible leadership has built a solid foundation within Excalibur’s R&D department. The team he fostered is equipped with the expertise and innovative spirit to continue serving our customers with the same dedication and excellence.

“Tyler built an R&D department that is not only highly skilled but deeply committed to his vision of innovation and customer-centric solutions,” says Bob Andorfer, National Sales Director. “His legacy ensures we can continue to push boundaries and deliver the exceptional quality our customers expect.”

We will miss Tyler, but his impact on Excalibur Seasoning and on the lives of those who knew him will never be forgotten.