Jerome Pepper

PEPPER Jerome Pepper, a retired Professional Civil Engineer, died on June 6, 2009, at age 84, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Dr. Carmen I. Posada-Pepper, four children: Jerry F. Pepper (Kerri Avner-Pepper), Edmond H. Pepper, Gabriella C. Pepper-St. Amant (Marshall St. Amant), and Matthew L. Pepper (Shelly Norris-Pepper); and eight grandchildren, Jonathan E. Pepper, Kristin S. Pepper, Margaux B. Pepper, Miranda C. Pepper, Ysabella C. St. Amant, Marshall F. St. Amant, Matthew T. Pepper, and Piper D. Pepper, two nieces, Holly S. Scholder, Eileen K. Crowe, and two nephews, Stuart Stein, and Robert Stein. He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his family. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, and at the age of 17, he proudly served his country during World War II by enlisting in the United States Army, first as a member of its Signal Corps under the ASTP program, then later in a heavy weapons company of the 94th Infantry Division as a part of General George S. Patton's 3rd Army. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1949 under the G.I. Bill. After the war, he served as the Chief Engineer for the construction of American Air Force Nuclear Strike Tactical Bases in France, Spain, and North Africa. In 1954, he returned to Michigan, where he met his future wife, Dr. Carmen Isabel Posada. They were married in New Orleans in 1957, and have made New Orleans their home for over fifty years. He founded the firm Pepper and Associates, Inc. Consulting Engineers, in 1968 where he served as its President and Chief Executive Officer until his retirement in 2005. After his retirement, he continued his involvement with Pepper and Associates, Inc. where he served as Chairman of the Board emeritus and special consultant to the firm. During his professional career, he was personally responsible for design and construction of many civil engineering and public works projects that are now familiar landmarks in the Greater New Orleans Area. He served as both a mentor and father figure to those who worked under his direction and was highly regarded by his peers. He was a lifetime fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, a past President of the Louisiana Engineering Society and a member of many other civic organizations. His hobbies included travel, sailing, photography and a love of opera, which he was able to combine with many memorable vacations around the world. The Pepper family mourned his passing in a private ceremony. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Friday, June 12, 2009, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home with a memorial visitation beginning at 10:00a.m to be followed by a Mass at 11:00a.m. As an expression of your sympathy, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the National Foundation for Cancer Research or the New Orleans Opera Guild. "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth." Ecclesiastes 7:1 To sign and view the Family Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.