Bruce Clark Hepp

Bruce Clark Hepp

December 6, 1934 • July 13, 2026
Denver, Colorado • Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather & Aviator

✦ ✦ ✦

There are lives defined by quiet courage, steadfast devotion, and a deep sense of duty.
Bruce Clark Hepp lived one of those lives.

Born in Denver, Colorado, on December 6, 1934, Bruce was the first child of Clark and 
Aileen Hepp and the proud older brother of his sister Carol. He grew up in a family where 
service was a way of life. His father and grandfather were both doctors; a legacy Bruce 
carried with pride. Well into his later years, he delighted in sharing that family history at 
nearly every medical appointment, whether the provider asked or not.

As a boy, Bruce grew up in east Denver on South Monaco Parkway when it was only a dirt 
road considered to be “way out in the country”. His first job, filling gas tanks and washing 
windshields alongside a friend, sparked a lifelong love for engines, machines, and anything 
that could “go.”

Near the end of high school, Bruce’s father asked if he wanted to continue the family 
tradition and become a doctor. Bruce, with honesty and respect, explained that he wanted 
a life where he could be present, something he felt his father’s demanding career had 
made difficult. When asked what he did want to do, Bruce answered with triumphant 
clarity: “Build hotrods!” His father paused, smiled, and said, “Then you’ll be an Engineer.” 
And so, he was.

During high school, Bruce was introduced to Marylyn by a mutual friend who, unbeknownst 
to Marylyn, had arranged for them to all go on a double date. Marylyn didn’t know she was 
being set up on a date until Bruce arrived at her door. The date was a success and the two 
soon became inseparable. In August 1957, Bruce graduated from the University of Denver 
with a BS/BA in Engineering Management, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 
the United States Air Force, and married Marylyn, beginning a partnership that would carry 
them through nearly 63 years of adventure.

Bruce entered active duty in February 1958 and excelled from the start. His assignments 
took him across the country and eventually across the world — Texas, Florida, Nevada, 
New Mexico, Germany, Spain. He mastered rotary-wing aircraft, endured survival school, 
and became part of the elite Air Rescue Service, a calling that demanded both skill and 
heart. During these years, Bruce and Marylyn welcomed their three children, balancing the 
joys and challenges of young parenthood with the demands of military life.

In April 1965, Bruce deployed to Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, flying combat rescue missions 
deep into Laos and North Vietnam. These were dangerous flights behind enemy lines to 
retrieve downed fighter pilots who otherwise had no chance of coming home. Bruce flew 
with quiet bravery — never boasting, never dramatizing, simply doing what he believed was 
right.

His courage earned him the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf 
clusters, two Air Medals, and several other honors recognizing extraordinary heroism. But if 
you asked him, he would say he was just doing his job.

After resigning his Regular Commission in 1966, Bruce transitioned into commercial 
aviation, joining United Air Lines as a Flight Engineer. He trained on the DC-6, and later 
moved to the Boeing 727, becoming a First Officer where he spent the last 10 years of his 
career. He chose not to move up further in rank, preferring the seniority that allowed him to 
pick his schedule, a choice rooted in the promise he made as a young man: to be present 
for his family. He retired on January 1, 1992, with 25 years of service and nearly 17,000 
accident-free flying hours, stepping away on his own terms.

Outside the cockpit, Bruce was a man of faith and community. He worshiped at Bear Creek
Evangelical Presbyterian Church before becoming a member of Green Mountain 
Presbyterian Church.

Retirement brought new adventures. Bruce and Marylyn traveled widely throughout the US, 
Canada and many other countries around the world both on airplanes and in their beloved
5th Wheel Trailer. They also took up the hobby of creating quilts that they sold at craft fairs.
They made thousands of quilts over the many years of quilting, something they really
enjoyed doing together. Bruce was very involved in several Masonic Organizations
including Jobs Daughters International, the El Jebel Shrine, the RV Roamers, Shebab, and
the Jeep Patrol, often serving in leadership roles. He always spoke of the wonderful people
involved in these organizations and the lifelong friends he had made. He also spent a lot of
time helping to plan and organize his and Marylyn’s East High School Class Reunions over
the years.

Bruce was a man of discipline and devotion. He loved Marylyn more than life itself. Bruce
is preceded in death by his wife Marylyn and his sister Carol Rathke. He is survived by his 3
children; Alan Hepp (Monica), Valerie Van Dyke (Greg) and Vicki Gigone (Mick), 4
grandchildren; David Van Dyke (Courtney), Julie Wolbach (Patrick), Zachary Gigone and
Connor Gigone as well as 4 great grandchildren.

Memorial Gifts may be made in Bruce’s name to:
Wheelers For the Wounded
1324 Bellewood Lane
Canyon Lake, TX 78133
Donate – Wheelers For The Wounded – Texas
Help Us Help Our Heroes

or

Shriner’s Hospital
c/o El Jebel Shrine Denver
3443 S Galena St, Denver, CO 80231