Frank M. Hepler – Colonel, United States Marine Corps Marshal, United States Supreme Court

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Frank M. Hepler, 88, a retired Marine Colonel who later served as marshal of the U.S. Supreme Court, died November 18, 2007, at Inova Fairfax Hospital of complications of a fall. He lived in Springfield, Virginia.

Known to many as Hitch, he served in the Marine Corps at several duty stations, including in Japan and Korea. In Vietnam, he commanded the largest Marine aircraft group — 3,000 men and more than 150 aircraft — headquartered in Da Nang. He retired from the Marines in 1968.

After retiring, Colonel Hepler was selected for a Ford Foundation and American Bar Association Fellowship program in court management. He graduated from the Institute for Court Management in Denver in 1972 and then served briefly as director of administration at the Federal Judicial Center in Washington.

He went on to serve as Marshal of the Supreme Court until 1976. He was responsible for financial management, purchasing and logistics, security and supervision of the majority of the court’s personnel. He called court sessions to order.

From 1977 to 1982, he was an investment adviser with a member firm of the New York Stock Exchange.

Colonel Hepler was born in Smithton, Pennsylvania, and was a 1941 pre-med graduate of Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. After joining the Marines, he was a naval aviator in 1943.

He received an MBA in financial management from George Washington University in 1964.

He loved hunting, photography, sports and traveling.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Virginia Hepler of Springfield; two daughters, Deborah Smith and Valerie Stolcis, both of Richmond; and three grandchildren.

FRANK M. HEPLER Colonel, USMC (Retired) Of Springfield, Virginia, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2007. Frank is survived by Virginia Hepler, his loving wife of 60 years, caring daughters Deborah (David) Smith and Valerie (Greg) Stolcis, both of Richmond, and devoted grandchildren Judson and Ginny Smith and Kyle Stolcis.

Born in Smithton, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 1941, Frank graduated from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, in 1941 with a BS in Pre-Med. He was designated as a naval aviator in 1943.

After graduating from George Washington University with an MBA in Financial Management in 1964, Frank was deployed overseas.

He proudly served in combat in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, where he was commander of the largest Marine Aircraft Group of 3000 men and 150 aircraft, headquartered in DaNang.

He would retire from the Marine Corps, with the rank of Colonel, in 1968. Following his military service, Frank was selected for a Ford Foundation & American Bar Association Fellowship program in Court Management – he graduated from the Fellow Institute for Court Management in Denver, Colorado in 1972. He would then serve as Director of Administration at the Federal Judicial Center in Washington, D.C. and as one of four officers as Marshall of the Supreme Court from 1972-1976. It was there that he was responsible for financial management, purchasing and logistics, security, and supervision of the majority of Court personnel. He sat on the bench and opened every session hearing.

Finally, from 1977-1982, Frank was an investment advisor for the New York Stock Exchange with a member firm.

At the conclusion of his career, Frank truly started to enjoy life. He was an avid hunter, photographer, and enjoyed sports and traveling, but his real passion was any time he could spend with family and friends.

A Life Celebration Service will take place at the Greenspring Village Chapel on Monday, November 26, 2007 at 1pm, followed by a reception at the Village Square from 3-5pm.

Interment at Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors will follow a Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel on January 25, 2008, beginning at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 900, Riverdale, Maryland 20738, Toys for Tots, or to the charity of your choice.

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