Post by Tom/CalClassic on Nov 10, 2008 10:22:19 GMT -5
Hi all,
As most of you know, many of the planes here on the CalClassic Propliner page were created by the talented hands of Greg Pepper, whom I consider one of my closest friends.
Unfortunately, Greg passed away last night in his sleep, due to complications from cancer.
Greg and his brother (who lives in San Diego) invited me to visit the USS Midway museum based here in the harbor, and after a (now) amusing incident involving waiting for a half hour at *two* different but identical statues nearby (i.e. "meet at the statue of the sailor kissing his girl"), we had a wonderful time at the museum talking about the ship, the planes, and the crew. He regaled us with stories from his life and his friends. I wouldn't give up those memories for anything.
Of course, he had to try the flight simulator there, and nailed it (of course). He was a military pilot for many years, and in the past flew a B-25 for a small museum in Casper Wyoming, his home town of many years. He had also created a flight sim cockpit in the basement of his home, complete with "real" instruments and a projection screen.
We have kept in telephone contact since then, and I heard from him just a few months ago. He was his usual involved, helpful, and cheerful self, still saying thanks for the (very little) that I had done, compared to his vast contribution to this hobby. Over the years he has created a huge variety of aircraft, including the CV-240, CV-340, CV-440, CV-580, DC-6, DC-6A, DC-6B, DC-7, DC-7B, DC-7C, B-377, C-97, KC-97E, KC-97G, HU-16, and Beech 18 - his name yields 23 *pages* of files at AVSIM.
While he was unable to contribute publicly in the past few years due to failing health and financial considerations (his last effort was to assist Libardo Guzman with his C-46), every time you fly one of Greg's planes please say a silent "thank you" to Greg for me. Thanks.
As most of you know, many of the planes here on the CalClassic Propliner page were created by the talented hands of Greg Pepper, whom I consider one of my closest friends.
Unfortunately, Greg passed away last night in his sleep, due to complications from cancer.
Greg and his brother (who lives in San Diego) invited me to visit the USS Midway museum based here in the harbor, and after a (now) amusing incident involving waiting for a half hour at *two* different but identical statues nearby (i.e. "meet at the statue of the sailor kissing his girl"), we had a wonderful time at the museum talking about the ship, the planes, and the crew. He regaled us with stories from his life and his friends. I wouldn't give up those memories for anything.
Of course, he had to try the flight simulator there, and nailed it (of course). He was a military pilot for many years, and in the past flew a B-25 for a small museum in Casper Wyoming, his home town of many years. He had also created a flight sim cockpit in the basement of his home, complete with "real" instruments and a projection screen.
We have kept in telephone contact since then, and I heard from him just a few months ago. He was his usual involved, helpful, and cheerful self, still saying thanks for the (very little) that I had done, compared to his vast contribution to this hobby. Over the years he has created a huge variety of aircraft, including the CV-240, CV-340, CV-440, CV-580, DC-6, DC-6A, DC-6B, DC-7, DC-7B, DC-7C, B-377, C-97, KC-97E, KC-97G, HU-16, and Beech 18 - his name yields 23 *pages* of files at AVSIM.
While he was unable to contribute publicly in the past few years due to failing health and financial considerations (his last effort was to assist Libardo Guzman with his C-46), every time you fly one of Greg's planes please say a silent "thank you" to Greg for me. Thanks.
