Longtime Nevada casino executive Pieper dies at 80

Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1999 | 9:34 a.m.

Casino executive and former president of the old MGM Grand in Reno, Jack Pieper, died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was 80.

During his 35 years in the casino industry Pieper had a rapid career rise.

"He was a pioneer of the old school," his son, Jay Pieper, said. "He represented the old way of doing things."

Pieper began as a dealer at the Golden Nugget casino in 1949 and progressed over the years to pit boss, assistant casino manager then to casino manager.

Having a father who owned small casino boats near Long Beach, Calif., and small casinos in Nevada boomtowns, Pieper was familiar with the gaming industry.

In 1968 Pieper resigned from the Golden Nugget to join the Hughes Tool Co., now the Howard Hughes Corp., as a general manager of the Silver Slipper on the Strip. In 1970 Pieper transferred to Harold's Club in Reno but returned to Las Vegas in 1972 to become general manager of the Frontier hotel-casino.

In 1976 Pieper resigned to become the president of the MGM Grand in Reno, which is now the Reno Hilton. At the time it was the largest casino in the world.

Three years later he resigned from the MGM to purchase 25 percent of the Holiday Hotel in Reno.

His retirement in 1980 lasted only three years. A friend enticed him to become the general manager of the Sundance Casino, which is now Fitzgerald's, his son said. He held the position for one year before returning to retirement.

During retirement Pieper played golf daily at the Las Vegas Country Club. He was the first person to shoot his age at the club, his son said. "He shot a 74 when he was 75."

Pieper was born Sept. 21, 1918, in St. Louis, Mo. After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, Pieper served as a bomber pilot during World War II. Amassing 378 combat hours on 78 missions, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and several unit and battle citations.

Pieper was appointed a director of the Greater Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce in 1975 to represent the resort hotels division and served as a director for the Nevada Resort Association. He was a director of the Variety Club Tent 39 and was past president of the Las Vegas Country Club.

Pieper also served as a member of the board of directors for the Reno/Sparks Convention Authority, the Reno Chamber of Commerce, the Airport Advisory Commission, the Reno Rodeo Association and Reno Air Races.

In addition to his son, Pieper is survived by one daughter, Perye Andres of Reno; his ex-wife, Vickie Pieper of Las Vegas; and one grandchild.

A memorial service will be at 5 p.m. Thursday at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave.

The family requests donations be sent to a charity.