HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Members of the 66th Comptroller Squadron here participated in a memorial 5K run Jan. 27 to commemorate the life and service of a fallen colleague.
Col. James “Rob” Culpepper, director of Financial Management and comptroller for Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustice, Virginia, lost his six month battle with Leukemia in December 2020. The run took place on what would have been his 49th birthday.
“The finance career field is very tight knit, so the loss of any member hits close to home,” said Maj. Whitney Wade, 66 CPTS commander.
The idea of a memorial run came from Culpepper’s colleagues at the Pentagon, who wanted to find a way to bring finance professionals together, said Wade.
“In this environment where travel is so difficult, this was a way to show support to Col. Culpepper’s family as well as the finance family that served with him.”
Lt. Col. Charles Silvanic, 66th Air Base Group deputy commander, offered opening remarks before the run began.
Silvanic, who is a comptroller by trade, said he and Culpepper crossed paths several times over their careers.
“This event is a small celebration of Col. Culpepper’s contributions to our community and a chance to show his family that folks all over the world have their back,” said Silvanic.