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Dear UNLV community,
It is with great sadness that I share news of the passing of longtime mechanical engineering professor Darrell W. Pepper, who died October 18, 2022, following a short illness.
Pepper was a fixture in the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering at UNLV. Over his 30 years with the college, he served as a professor, department chair, and, for a time, dean. He helped create new programs, he was a celebrated researcher, and he was a beloved advisor to countless UNLV students and professionals.
Like many UNLV students he mentored, Pepper was the first in his family to attend college, earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Missouri-Rolla. Prior to his time at UNLV, he worked as a professor at Cal State Northridge, as a researcher at the Savannah River Laboratory, as chief scientist at Marquardt Corp., and he co-founded multiple businesses.
A brilliant researcher, Pepper earned the Harry Reid Silver State Research Award from UNLV in 2010. He was a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering, and he received the Lifetime Achievement Medal from the International Conference on Computational and Experimental Engineering and Sciences. From 2011 to 2013, he was invited to serve as a distinguished visiting professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Pepper was a consistent, positive presence within the College of Engineering for decades, and his impact on our college, our university, and in his field will be felt for years to come. Our condolences to Pepper's son, Erik, and to all of his family, friends, and loved ones. He will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Rama Venkat
Dean, Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering https://obituaries.reviewjournal.com/obituary/darrell-pepper-1086561797
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Rich Akins
I am so sorry to hear of Darrell's passing! We rode on the same school bus every day in high school and lived about 3 blocks from one another on Fee Fee Rd. He was one of the smartest people I have ever met and always had a smile on his face! He was always upbeat and had a very dry sense of humor. One of Darrell's best features was that his ego was always in check. He never lorded his brilliance over any classmate.
May he rest in peace in the hereafter. I'm just glad that our paths crossed so many times while we were growing up!!
Wanda Bosecker (Morgenthaler)
Besides being brilliant, Darrell was an exceptional friend. I will always remember him fondly.
Did you know that he was the youngest licensed pilot in the state of Missouri when he was 16 years old? He started taking lessons shortly after our first "date". That date was one I'll always remember because it was so special. He had arranged with his sister and brother-in-law that we would double-date with them. As part of the evening, his brother-in-law took us flying in his 4-passenger airplane. I had never even been in an airplane before! We flew over St. Louis at night taking in the sight of all those bright lights on the ground below us and the stars above us. It was magical.
Rest in peace, dear Darrell.
Phil Sullins
Always liked Darrell and his sister Jeannie. If memory serves me right he lived on Dixie Drive in St. Ann before moving to Fee Fee Road and his sister and her husband bought their parents old house and remodeled it. I used to run around with him and Gary Eaton in the grade school days but little after 6th grade. We still text each other 2 or 3 times a year, he never forgot his old classmates. Truly a gentleman and a scholar. Very glad to have known him. RIP Darrell.
Judy Upson (Eaton)
The news of Darrell's passing was sad and unexpected. He has been such an engaging presence on this Forum and always had such witty comments when congratulating classmates on their birthdays. I remember Darrell from high school as an easy-going, unassuming guy despite (or maybe because of) his amazing intellect. He always seemed wise and professorial beyond his years. I also remember Darrell as a member of that special "posse" -- Wayne, Kurt, Gary, Don etc. -- so brilliant, funny and witty. I was always in awe.
Dale Frank
In high school I did not know him personally>>only from afar. When I walked into a classroom I always looked for him be cause he was one of those smart ones who unwittingly raised the curve for grades. I never held that against him. I respected him for his higher intelligence, and liked him personally. And, he always had that ready smile. Erik. I hope you get to read these comments about your amazing Dad. I believe I was in one or two of his classes in grade school.