Family visits facility bearing fallen father's name

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  "All of a sudden I had to become the head of a household - 23 years old and three weeks away from having a baby."

Janet Pepper vividly recalled the stark realization that overwhelmed her that fateful day when she learned her husband, Staff Sgt. Marvin Pepper, a Non-Destructive Inspection laboratory technician assigned to Ellsworth, lost his life in the 1972 flood.

"When I found out Marvin died, my life completely changed," she said.

Janet and her son, now 39, returned to Ellsworth with a small group of family members for a tour of the base while visiting the area June 28. Among the main places visited was the 28th Maintenance Squadron NDI laboratory - a building that bears the name of the fallen husband and father.

During the Black Hills flood of June 1972, Pepper was among many Airmen who answered Rapid City's call for help. He and two other Airmen lost their lives while engaged in an emergency rescue in Rapid City during the height of the flood. By the end of the disaster, 13 Airmen and their families lost their lives and numerous others were severely injured.

The Pepper family stopped by the NDI lab to get a feel for the work Marvin did on a daily basis. Janet said it was the second time she visited the NDI lab, the first time being the ribbon cutting ceremony June 1973.

"My husband was an amazing man who lived each day to the fullest and never let a day pass without getting everything he wanted to get done," said Pepper. "I'm happy my son and grandchildren have the opportunity to experience some of Marvin's life."

Although Pepper's son never met his father, he said that his father still influenced him in many ways.

"A lot of people say that I'm just like my father... they say I walk, talk and even pull the same practical jokes as my dad," said Pepper, who now has his own son and daughters. "Although it was tough growing up without my dad, I am who I am today because of him. It feels good to come out to Ellsworth and honor his memory."