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Born -
December 10, 1940
Died - March 31, 2010 Prescott, AZ
Past National Commander Richard J Kepler of Prescott Valley, AZ died of cancer March 31, 2010 in Prescott, Arizona. Richard was a member of Squadron 257 North Miami Beach, FL and served as Florida's very first Detachment Commander from 1970 to 1973. He later transferred to Tennessee, where he went on to serve as National Commander of the Sons of The American Legion from 1978 to 1979. Richard finally transferred to Arizona where he was running for the Office of Department of Arizona Commander.
Submitted by PDC Jim Roberts
Richard J. Kepler, United States Marine and United States Air Force Veteran, passed away at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System Hospice Center in Prescott, Ariz., on March 31, 2010.
He was born on Dec. 10, 1940, to Kirby E. and Barbara Brown Kepler. Richard's father served in WWII in the Army Air Corps and was killed in action in 1944. He is survived by his sons Martin, Mark who lives in England, his son Christopher in Tennessee, and his brother Jimmy in Florida. His wife, Barbara; son Kirby, and his brother Charles preceded him in death.
He was simply known as "Grandpa" by his friends and many of the members of Veteran Service Organizations from across the country. Richard's father enrolled him at birth in the Sons of the American Legion (S.A.L.) and among his many accomplishments was holding every S.A.L. National Office, becoming National Commander in 1978. Through the years, he mentored hundreds of S.A.L. members and as a 43-year member of The American Legion, he spent 27 of those in Arizona holding several of the Post, District and Department offices. At the time of his passing, he was the Department Chaplain and campaigning for Arizona Department Commander.
He was the Correspondent of 40Et8 Voiture 555, an honor society of The American Legion. He was also a member of the VFW, a volunteer and member of the Volunteer Executive Committee at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System, and stilt found time to help out at St. Vincent DePaul.
Richard loved to bake and cook and he could always be found bringing something everywhere he went.
He never sought recognition - a fact known by the countless folks he helped who were sick or in need.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The American Legion Child Welfare Fund, a program nearest and dearest to "Grandpa" and for which he worked tirelessly.
Richard John Kepler was one of those rare people you meet who really made a difference ... and your life better for knowing them. We all share an indescribable hurt ... farewell "Grandpa," we love you.
Please visit
www.sunrisefuneralhome.com to sign Richard's online guestbook.
Information provided by survivors.