Peter McLane Uncapher

Born in New York City, he first lived in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y., before moving to Bethesda, Md. in 1995. He attended Bradley Hills Elementary School and Pyle Middle School. After graduating from Walter Johnson High School, Peter enlisted in the U.S. Marines. For his heroic efforts on May 25, 2011, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, while serving with the 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, he received a Purple Heart and the Navy-Marine Achievement Medal with Combat V. For the past decade, Peter lived in Denver Colorado, working in restaurants in various capacities.

Peter is survived by his parents, Mark and Robin Nixon Uncapher of Chevy Chase, Md.; his sister, Elizabeth Cameron Uncapher (Zachary Yamamoto) of Harper’s Ferry W.V.; his Grandmother, Joan Gruen of Buffalo, NY.; his Uncles Cameron Nixon (Camille) of Warren, RI. and Andrew Nixon (M.J. Andersen) of Attleboro, MA; and Tessa Hincker of Denver, Co. His cousins include Anne Nixon (Barret Smith) of LaGrange, Ky., Kate Nixon Anania (Darius) of Arlington, Va., Laura Nixon Kohler (Brenton) of Charlottesville, Va., Hannah Becker-Uncapher of Los Angeles, Ca., and Isadore Becker Uncapher of Boulder Co., as well as from his extended Gruen stepfamily. Peter’s notion of family also extended to his extensive network of friends, from childhood classmates to his Marine comrades.

He is predeceased by his Grandfathers, Mark E. Uncapher, Ray Nixon, David H. Gruen, Grandmother Madeleine Nixon, and Uncle Neil Willard Uncapher.

The profound outpouring of love and affection from his friends, comrades, and family has been touching. Many shared photographs that reflect his exuberance at being with his friends. Invariably, they capture his broad grin and love of being with his buddies.

It is hard not to reflect on his life without acknowledging his service as a U.S. Marine on May 25, 2011. There are several accounts of it:

• https://www.dvidshub.net/news/71192/americans-dont-wait-memorial-day-unite-helmand

• https://www.dvidshub.net/news/77218/sandstorm-ied-and-squad-overcame

A more nuanced portrayal of Peter comes from Aaron Kirk’s book The Hill: A Memoir of War in Helmand Province. Aaron thinly disguises Peter as “Jason,” and captures much about Peter.

It is anticipated that Peter will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. This, though, can take some months.

Instead of flowers, those who wish to contribute in Peter’s honor may do so to the Denver Botanic Gardens at https://www.botanicgardens.org