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James Hepner Obituary
Apr. 24, 1933 - May 30, 2013
James O. Hepner, Ph.D., 80, of Nokomis, FL passed away May 30, 2013 from pneumonia and complications of Parkinson's disease. Jim served in the U.S. Marine Corps, as an infantry platoon commander and a captain in the active reserve. He received the MHA degree from Washington University School of Medicine, and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Iowa. Dr. Jim was appointed the first full time director of the graduate program, the position he held until 2000. He became Professor Emeritus and is the only professor of Health Administration in the Medical School.
Dr. Hepner was the first full-time university faculty member in the American College of Health Care Executives' eighty-year history to be elected Chairman of the Board of Governors in this professional society. The College presented him with their Silver Medal Award for outstanding excellence in health services administration. He served as Consultant to the Department of Health and Human Services, and to the U.S. Air Force Surgeons General. He is a recipient of the Air Force Medical Service Corps' Gold Medal for Leadership and Excellence. He is the recipient of the Outstanding Health Care Leadership Award by the Hospital Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. Also, the Washington University Health Administration Alumni Association has presented him with their Distinguished Alumnus Award.
From 1999 through 2005, he served as Physician Executive Liaison at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. He also served on Florida's Sterling Award Board.
Professor Hepner is survived by his wife, Lynn (Whitbeck) Hepner; a son, James H.T. Hepner and granddaughter, Tegan Hepner, both of Minneapolis; daughters, Lauren T. Brightwell of Chicago and Kate J. Brightwell of Austin, TX.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, Tuesday, June 4th at Farley Funeral Home, Venice Chapel. A Requiem Mass will be held at The Church of the Redeemer, 11:30 AM, Wednesday, June 5th followed by burial at Sarasota National Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior's Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or the Neuro Challenge Foundation of Sarasota, 4411 Bee Ridge Road, #246, Sarasota, FL 34233.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Hepner
Dennis Hanlon
November 24, 2023
Jim Hepner was my friend, my mentor/teacher of many things, and my neighbor. I looked at TV college football game today and saw Iowa playing and immediately thought of Jim. So I looked him up and sadly found his obituary. Sad how you lose contact with important people in your life and then try to catch up and it´s too late. God bless you Jim my good friend. I still have the dictionary you gave me with a note inside suggesting I wear out the pages using it to learn.
I have done some interesting things in my life and thank you for your solid foundational guidance you gave me as a young high school student. You´re an amazing man!
Best
Dennis Hanlon
Jiggs Dunn
June 16, 2013
Dear Lynn & Family
Tom and I were both so sorry to hear of your loss of Jim.
What a great guy who had a great life and family.
You all will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Jiggs & Tom Dunn
Ellen Baker
June 10, 2013
I will never forget the way you and Jim greeted me on my first Sunday at Grace. I always tell that story to remind people to be nice to strangers in the church parking lot. Jim always had the most wonderful welcoming smile, and I know he is in your heart forever.
June 6, 2013
Lynn - Our prayers are with you and your family on Jim's death. There are only a few left in LT who remember you but we are holding you in loving thoughts. May God comfort you. Mary and Tom Poshak
June 6, 2013
Lynn and family,
I just learned of your loss and I am very sorry. Please accept my sympathy and wishes for comfort at this sad time.
Joyce Brackman (former member of LT, now in CA.
Stuart Showalter
June 5, 2013
It was an honor and a pleasure to work with Jim and call him my friend.
Linda Cottler
June 5, 2013
I remember Jim's smile and laugh. He was generous and spirited. He always gave you the benefit of the doubt. Lynn, I am sending you healing thoughts.
June 4, 2013
Dear Jamie and family,
Our deepest condolences and heartfelt sadness for your loss.
May happy memories comfort you. Our prayers are with you.
Cheryl and Dick Witherow
Evelyn Zoernack
June 4, 2013
I feel honored and grateful to have met you, Jim - what a gentle soul. You and your Lynn
are a very special couple - and always will be.
With love, Evelyn Zoernack
and surely too Werner Zoernack
June 4, 2013
What a very spcial gentleman. I attended St. Louis Univ when Jim ran the MHA program at Wash U. He referred to me as "the guy from Brand X". We always enjoyed our visits together - - although they were infrequent and brief they were great. He also helped me immensely when I made my plans to retire from the Air Force. We had lunch, he reviewd my resume, and gave it a "gold stear", Always the leader and always a great friend. So pleased that he was made an Honorary Air Force MSC a few years ago. Will add him to my prayer list for the dearly departed. Prayers for you, too, Lynn. Mac McClean Colonel USAF MSC Retired
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Farley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Venice265 Nokomis Avenue, Venice, FL 34285
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