Larry Wilson Sapper
Cullum No. 23240
Died 21 December 1987 in Bowie, Maryland
Aged 50 years
Interment: Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville, Maryland

Larry Wilson Sapper was born in Noblesville, Indiana, 20 November 1937. Larry was the son of Harrell and Blanche (Wilson) Sapper and the brother of Jeanne. This wholesome Indiana family fostered Larry’s many talents, which he would continue to perfect for fifty years until he died, suddenly of a heart attack, at home with his wife and children in Bowie, Maryland. 

The 1960 Howitzer notes that Larry “distinguished himself from the very beginning as a rough customer.” Typifying his red hair and stout muscular body, Larry assumed many friendly strifes. He played center on “B” squad football, was elected vice-president of the Debate Council and Forum, and skirmished frequently with the academic department. Because of a persistent back injury, Larry was denied a commission and an Army career. He was graduated, but immediately entered civilian life. The Army had a friend, who would continue to serve his country.

Larry returned to his home in Indiana and a routine job. Wanting more, he earned a Master of Arts degree in mathematics from Ball State Teachers College in 1963. There he met and married Bonnie Lee Merriman. The newlywed couple moved to Washington, DC, and Larry went to work for the National Aeronautics and space Administration (NASA) at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Shortly after the birth of Ginger Marie, 18 September 1965, the marriage was dissolved due to irreconcilable differences. In an unprecedented court judgment, Larry was awarded custody of Ginger. Larry continued to serve. 

Family was important to Larry. Sharing this purpose Dorothy Fiske and Larry were married on 11 May 1968 and settled in Bowie, Maryland. This loving union produced Brett Preston, 1 October 1969 and Christopher Russell (Rusty), 3 February 1972. Together with Ginger their family was firmly established.

At NASA Larry contributed his entire professional career to space flight ground systems. Larry began in orbit computations, as a founding member of the Apollo Network Support Team. He joined networks in 1970 as head of the Tracking Systems Section. In 1981 he accepted appointment as project manager of the Ground System Security Upgrade, to improve NASA support of Department of Defense missions. During these difficult years when NASA was learning how to secure ground systems and applying new security technology, Larry was a prime mover and shaker, introducing innovative approaches and holding the course with cost effective solutions. Larry’s last appointment came in 1986 as Goddard’s Systems Security manager. Larry received numerous awards in recognition of his service, including two Silver Snoopy Awards. For Larry success came from hard work and dedication. Larry could be found working in his office early and leaving late, except for those days when he was pitching softball at the Goddard ball field. He was always carrying home a briefcase with work for the evening or weekend. Larry came to work that final Monday, 21 December, feeling ill. He worked a full day, returned home, had a meal with his family, and settled down in front of the television to watch the Monday night football game. There he died. 

Larry served us well, his wife and children, co-workers, his church, the Boy Scouts, his friends, his classmates, his family. And, finally, we were there to observe the military honors and mourn his untimely death.