Harris Laning Perry Pepper

Harris Laning Perry Pepper age 82 of Gladwyne, PA died peacefully at home July 29, 2025. Born in Philadelphia in 1942 to Hester Marie Laning and Dickinson Sergeant Pepper, MD, H.L. Perry Pepper grew up in Hartford, CT, graduated from the Frederick Gunn School (The Gunnery) before attending the University of Pennsylvania for his BA and the Wharton School for his MBA in Health Care Economics. Perry started his career in healthcare as the Assistant Director of Presbyterian Hospital before becoming the President of the Chester County Hospital, where he happily led and grew the hospital for 34 years. He was a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He was a past chairman of the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania, the Delaware Valley Hospital Council, the Voluntary Hospitals of America East, and the Board of Health of Lower Merion Township in Pennsylvania. Perry also was a Fellow and a Trustee of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Throughout his career and into retirement Perry was committed to health care education. He served in an advisory capacity to both the master’s in public health program and MBA programs at West Chester University. He served for several years as a preceptor at the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania. Aside from a host of professional and historic organizations, he was a member of the Philadelphia Club and an active member of St. Christopher’s Church, Gladwyne, where he served on the Vestry. Curious about everything, Perry had numerous hobbies. He was an ardent fly fisherman and lifelong member and past President of The Swiftwater Preserve. He cherished his children and grandchildren and especially loved doing projects with them at his workbench. Gadgets spread across his desk with many computers, wires, and gizmos. In retirement he renewed his HAM radio license and often participated in emergency communications. Perry adored a good party and any excuse to set off his cannons in celebration. He loved playing the harmonica, doing magic tricks, visiting the hardware store, consuming popcorn, Chardonnay, and being prepared for any potentially disastrous situation. Perry always wore bowties, told jokes, and delighted in making people laugh. Perry’s family was the light in his life. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, March Wier Pepper, daughters Meredith Taylor (Lucius), Page McConnel (James), grandchildren Pepper and Quinn Taylor, and Elsie and Perry McConnel, his twin T. Sergeant Pepper (Marion), his sister Laning Thompson (Steve) and many other adoring family members. His Memorial Service will be held on Saturday August 9th at 11 AM in St. Christopher’s Church, Gladwyne, PA. In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution in his honor to his last leadership project, the Capital Campaign at St. Christopher’s Church.

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Harris Laning Perry Pepper