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Morris Jeppson Obituary

MORRIS JEPPSON Morris Richard Jeppson was born in Logan, Utah, June 23, 1922. Loved by all, and having had a life rich in family, travel and love, he passed away peacefully March 30, 2010, at Summerlin Hospital. Morris Richard "Dick" served in the military from 1943 to 1946. He attended Air Force electronics/radar schools at Yale, Harvard and MIT, after which he was assigned to Los Alamos, where he worked on the development/field testing of the first atomic bombs. He was a member of the 509th Composite Group and was the weapons test officer on the Enola Gay flight that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Following this historic event, Dick went on to have a successful career working in electronics and applied radiation at University of California Radiation Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory; and he founded several companies, including Applied Radiation Corporation and Cryodry Corporation. He was the director of the Optical Research and Development Corporation and the director of Humphrey Instruments. He authored numerous patents on industrial microwave equipment/processes and energy/resource systems. Dick had a brilliant mind to the end and over his lifetime he developed many inventions that were well ahead of their time. He is survived by his wife, Molly Ann (Hussey) Jeppson; brother, Lawrence Jeppson of Salt Lake City; daughters, Nancy Hoskins of Colorado Springs, Colo., Carol English of Medford, Ore., Sally Jeppson of Gackle, N.D., and Jane Ross of Midland, Ontario; sons, Mike Sullivan of Pahrump, and John Sullivan of Lakeport, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Dick enjoyed travel, reading, research, good food, bridge and gardening. He was a devoted husband and loving father. No funeral services will take place.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Las Vegas Review-Journal on Apr. 4, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
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Resa Kirkland

December 7, 2010

God speed, Brother Jeppson--Resa LaRu Kirkland, WARCHICK

Jerry Low

December 7, 2010

On the anniversary of your flight to Japan I wish you god speed. What would have happened without your bravery? This from the town of your birth, Logan Utah.

August 29, 2010

I have just learned of the passing of Dick. Melba and I are so fortunate that we were able to know Dick and Molly on a cruise to the South Pacific. I was able to arrange for Dick to speak to a group of airmen on board the ship. I was fortunate to get to pilot a B-29 in the Air Force. I am ten years younger than Dick, so I missed WWII. However, I remember the news of the Event vividly. Dick was a true Gentleman and He shall be missed. Blessings to you, Molly, and Family.
Sid and Melba Cook . Peachtree City, GA

Peter Pisani

August 25, 2010

Thank you for your sacrifice and heroism for ending the war with Japanese.

William Lapinski

June 15, 2010

Thank You Mr. Jeppson for helping all of us in the US enjoy the freedom we have today. What the 509th did during the war, saved so many lives. You and your fellow crew members will never be forgotten!!!!

April 12, 2010

To the jeppson family,I offer my full condolences,although i am not a american,but i am a fan of the crew of the Enola Gay's crews.

April 10, 2010

Dick Jeppson was a true American hero. I have known him but a short time; a gracious, kind and very intelligent man. We have had many discussions of scientific questions that are at the forefront of today's political and international anxieties.
Both Nancy and I will miss him greatly. Our heartfelt sympathy to Molly and the family.

John Peck, Las Vegas

Lois Barber

April 10, 2010

To the Jeppson Family,

As I read the notice of Mr. Jeppsons' passing I wondered could this be the Dick Jeppson I worked for at Applied Radiation in Walnut Creek. Yes, it was. He was a wonderful, kind person. I treasure my employment there, and later at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.
May his goodness live on in his family.

April 8, 2010

Because of the dedication and sacrifices of such fine and Noble Americans such as Mr. Jeppson, we enjoy the liberties and freedoms we have today. Jack E Camp--Houston, Texas

Jason Perash

April 6, 2010

Morris was a very kind gentleman. After corresponding through the mail, he was kind enough to invite me to his house for two hours to chat about the Enola Gay mission. He and Molly treated my girlfriend and I very kindly. I told Molly I thought of him as my honorary grandfather. I'll miss him.

Kyle Nappi

April 6, 2010

To the members of the Jeppson family,

I am currently a freshman at The Ohio State University, and, some might say, an amateur historian. I had the honor and privilege of corresponding with Mr. Jeppson about his wartime years. He exchanged several letters with me, and I cherished every one. He gave me much to think about and offered his viewpoints and experiences on the final days of the war.

I am deeply saddened to hear about Mr. Jeppson’s passing, as he played an important role in helping bring about an end to the Second World War. His role in history will not be forgotten, and his legacy will live on.

He isn’t really gone, if we find a way to preserve his memory. Enjoy Freedom? Thank a Veteran.

Rest in peace,

Kathryn Robinson

April 5, 2010

Grandad,
I will miss your smile the most. You showed me and so many others what true kindness is and you've always held a special place in my heart. I love you!
Love, Katie. xoxoxo

Paul Metro

April 5, 2010

My condlences to the family. I was a member of the 509th C.G.
I didn't know Morris but I was there in the crowd to greet the Enola Gay on August 6 1945.
Because of them we were home sooner.

Christmas Eve, 2009. Summerland

April 5, 2010

David Cowl

April 5, 2010

My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.

ALLEN ANTHONY

April 5, 2010

We wish to offer our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the immediate family, associates and friends upon the departure from the scene of Morris Jeppson ... He was one of those great and heroic men who experienced one of the greatest moments in world and military history which made it possible for us to live our lives as we do today ... We salute you, Sir.

Jay Payton

April 5, 2010

Thank you Mr. Morris Jeppson for your dedicated service to our Nation. My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this America Hero.

Jennifer Ouellet

April 4, 2010

Granddad, you will be missed forever. I treasure the memories we made travelling across the country and on our Carribean cruise among the many others. I will always love you.

Lisa Ferguson

April 4, 2010

To the Jeppson family:

I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Mr. Jeppson.

It was truly an honor and privilege to interview this great man and his lovely wife Molly in 2000 for the Las Vegas Sun, for a story about his role on the flight of the Enola Gay (http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2000/may/25/enola-gay-crew-member-jeppson-remembers-famed-flig/). I have such fond memories of the afternoon I spent at their home, learning about the part he played in American history. He was so gracious and kind. We have lost a hero.

My heartfelt condolences to you all.

David Gibbs

April 4, 2010

As a student of history and a member of the 509th Bomb Wing in the '80s, I remember Mr. Jeppson's name from my studies of the Enola Gay. He served our country well on a difficult and critical mission. May God Bless him and welcome him into His arms. As the saying goes among the flying world -- "Happy Landings"

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