Richard Kepple
August 11, 1933 — December 21, 2013
Richard Jonathan Kepple, 80 originally from Jeanette passed away peacefully on Saturday 12/21/2013 in Alexandria, VA.
He was born in Grapeville, PA and was the son of the late Claude Kepple and Florence Elizabeth Miller formally of Jeanette, PA. After the death of his father in 1939, he was raised by his step father Elmer R. Miller. He was a graduate of Greensburg High School class of 1951 and graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. He played football at Greensburg High School and boxed for his fraternity at Penn State. He married Barbara Ann Bollinger in 1955 and they moved to the Los Angeles area where he worked for the North American aircraft company. He later worked for McDonnell Douglas in St Louis where he designed parts of the F-4 Phantom. In 1959, they moved back to the Philadelphia area where he designed spacecraft for General Electric. He retired from the General Electric Company and moved back to Jeanette in 1980.
He was an avid fan of the sports played by his three sons; never missing a little league game. He also especially enjoyed fishing trips with his brother Duane and his three sons to Rockport Texas. He was also a beloved "sitter" for his grandchildren as they grew up in Texas, New Hampshire, and Virginia.
He was a beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his brother Duane Miller, his three sons, Alan and wife Carol of Alexandria VA, Scott and wife Christine of Dallas Texas, Andy of Houston TX and seven grandchildren Zach, Alyson and husband Jim of Pittsburgh PA, Lauren and husband Josh of College Station TX, Lisa, Maddy, Sara, and Davis.
Family and friends are invited on Monday from 10am to noon to the KEPPLE-GRAFT Funeral Home 524 N. Main Street, Greensburg for visitation.
Terence L. Graft, funeral director, entrusted with the arrangements. For online condolences and information, please visit www.kepplegraft.com