Larry F. Hepner

CAMBRIDGE - Larry Hepner, 56, died Saturday morning, Nov. 4, 2006, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury. At his side and surviving him were his long time friend Robert E. Young, of Salisbury and their two "little girls" - pet dogs Sophie and Sashie.

Additionally, Mr. Hepner is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ted and Lucy Hepner of Harrisonburg, Va.; his brother, Gary Hepner and wife, Cindy of Harrisonburg, Va.; and his sister, Terri Hepner of Winchester, Va.; a nephew, Jason Hepner and his wife, Megan, of Stephens City, Va.; and a nephew, Ricky Whitacre of Winchester, Va. and two nieces, Savannah and Sierra Hepner; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and a Godson, Sammy Slacum of Cambridge.

Mr. Hepner was originally from Winchester, Va., where he graduated from Handley High School in 1968. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968-1971 with an honorable discharge.

In 1976, Mr. Hepner received his Associate Applied Science Degree in Nursing from Northern Virginia Community College, his bachelor's of science in Nursing at George Mason University 1981, masters of science in Nursing Administration at Marymount University of Virginia 1983, Health Care Executive Fellowship Program in Management through Northwestern University 1996, and American Nurses Credentialing Center Certification - Certified Nurse Administrator Advanced from the American Nurses Association.

Mr. Hepner's career in health care began at the Winchester Memorial Hospital in 1971, and then he relocated to the Washington D.C. area and began to work at George Washington University Medical Center where he was a staff nurse for eight years. Then he went to National Hospital for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation in Arlington, Va., for 11 years, where he held various management positions, including Vice President of Patient Care Services, in 1990 he relocated to Cambridge, where he assumed the role of Vice President of Patient Care Services at Dorchester General Hospital.

In 1996 he assumed the position of Vice President of Patient Care Services for Shore Health Care of Maryland System following the affiliation of Dorchester General Hospital in Cambridge, and the Memorial Hospital in Easton. He retired from Shore Health Care System in February 2000.

During his career he served as President of the Virginia Organization of Nurse Executives in 1989. He was a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the Virginia Organization of Nurse Executives, and the Maryland Organization of Nurse Executives. He was a member of the American Nurses Association, the Maryland Nurses Association, and served as a Magnet Hospital Appraiser for the American Nursing Credentialing Center of the American Nurses Association in Washington D.C. He founded the Partnership leadership model of Nursing Services and the Partnership Nursing Endowment Fund at Shore Health Care System.

He was active in civic organizations including past memberships in the Dorchester Ruritan Club, Cambridge Rotary Club, past member of the Board of Directors for Sailwinds Park, Board Member of the Board of Directors for the Dorchester County YMCA where he also served as Vice President of the Board and Chair of the Finance Committee. In 1999 he received the Leading Man of the Year award for the Memorial Hospital Class Weekend.

He was a member and active communicant of Christ Episcopal Church in Cambridge, where he served three-year terms on the Vestry, currently was serving another three-year term on the Vestry, served as treasurer, junior warden, senior warden, and chairs of various committees. He was a member of the Altar Guild. He was instrumental in beginning the Christ Church "Fun Dog Show."

He served an active leadership role in raising the funds for the installation of the Casavant Organ at Christ Church in 1994-1996, as well at the necessary renovations for the new choir lofts and altar area expansion. He served as delegate to the Diocese of Easton Convention for five years, and chaired the Committee on Debate and Resolution. Prior to moving to Cambridge, he was an active communicant at Christ Lutheran Church, Fairfax, Va.

Larry enjoyed life with his family, friends, and his two "little girls" Sophie and Sashie-his pet shitzu dogs. He enjoyed cooking, baking, taking walks and his active life in the church and his friends. He liked to clown around, literally. In 1984, Larry completed Clown College in Fairfax, Va., and he took on the clown name, "Snooks." He was bestowed with the Title of Fellow Joey, and practiced clowning at various events in the community.

A viewing will be held Friday at the Curran-Bromwell Funeral Home, Cambridge, from 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held Saturday, at 11 a.m. at the Christ Episcopal Church on the corner of High and Church streets in Cambridge. Officiating the service will be The Rev. Michael D. Reddig, rector. A reception will follow the funeral service in Whatley Parish Hall. Mr. Hepner will be entombed in a mausoleum Tuesday, in the Shenandoah Memorial Park in Winchester, Va. at noon, with military honors. The funeral procession will leave Curran-Bromwell Funeral Home in Cambridge, to go to Winchester at 7:30 the morning of the entombment.

Pallbearers in Cambridge will be: Robert Young, Gene and Suzanne Slear, Nancy Harper, John D'Orazio, Phil Feldman, and Fred and Sally Haller.

Pallbearers in Winchester, Va. will be Robert Young, Gary Hepner, Jason Hepner, Ricky Whitacre, Jay Hepner, and Albert Jones.

In lieu of flowers, Larry's wish is for donations to be made to the Christ Episcopal Church Altar Guild, P.O. Box 456, Cambridge, MD 21613; or to the Dorchester County Humane Society, P.O. Box 132, Cambridge, MD 21613.