Mark Piepmeier ’72 – A Career of Service and Justice

After more than four decades of service in the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, Mark Piepmeier ’72 built a career marked by dedication, civic duty, and resilience. For 44 years, he served as a trial prosecutor, specializing in murder cases. Over the course of his career, Mark handled more than 200 homicides, including four serial killer prosecutions. One of the defining moments of his career came in the aftermath of the 1993 Lucasville Prison Riot—the longest and one of the deadliest prison uprisings in U.S. history. Mark led the prosecution team after a nine-month investigation, ultimately indicting 50 inmates for crimes committed during the 11-day siege.

In addition to his prosecutorial career, Mark also served his country in the Army Reserve as an attorney. He was called to active duty for six months during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, earning both the Army National Defense Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal for his contributions.

The Roger Bacon Influence

Mark credits Roger Bacon with instilling in him a strong sense of civic duty and service to others. “I think I provided a lot of this in my career,” he reflects. Football, under the leadership of Coach Bron Bacevich, was particularly formative. The hard work, discipline, and teamwork he experienced on the field taught him lessons that carried into every aspect of his professional and personal life. He also remembers the diverse student body as eye-opening, giving him exposure to people from different backgrounds and perspectives. Coach Bacevich’s words still resonate with him today: “These high school years will be some of the best years of your life.”

Lessons from Teachers and Teammates

While Mark hesitates to name individual teachers for fear of leaving someone out, he recalls being deeply influenced by both priests and lay educators at Bacon. Playing football was an honor, and his teammates left an indelible mark on his high school years. The work ethic he developed through sports remains a cornerstone of his character to this day. In fact upon graduation from Miami University in 1976, Mark was hired by Roger Bacon, and taught senior social studies and coached the JV football team from 1976 until 1979. Thereby passing those lessons on to the next generation of Spartans.

Advice to Current Spartans

Mark encourages today’s students and graduates to focus on passion over paychecks. “Find something you enjoy without worrying about the salary,” he advises. “You’ll work for a long time, and if you’re in a job you hate, you’ll have a miserable life and never work up to your potential.” He also reminds students that consistent effort and excellence are often rewarded with opportunities for advancement.

Faith, Values, and Humility

The values instilled at Bacon helped Mark approach challenges throughout his career. Both in sports and academics, he learned that some people are blessed with more natural ability while others may have less. “Once you accept that the talent you have is, for the most part, God-given, you can relate better to those with more talents and those with less. Don’t envy those who have more, and don’t look down on those who have less.”

A Life Blessed by Family

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mark considers his family his greatest blessing. He married his high school sweetheart, Carol Rusche from St. Bernard, who accompanied him to senior prom. Together they will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 18, 2026. They raised three children—Julie Piepmeier Crosthwaite, Joe Piepmeier, and Brian Piepmeier—and now delight in their four (and counting!) grandchildren.

Mark Piepmeier’s journey is a testament to the Franciscan values of service, humility, and integrity that are at the heart of Roger Bacon. From the courtroom to the football field, his life reflects the enduring impact of a Spartan education.