Col. Charles D. Kepple, AUS, Ret.

Colonel Charles D. Kepple, AUS, Retired, 96, passed away on January 21, 2013. He was born in Dunkirk, NY, the son of the late John Nicholas Kepple and the late Bessie Salisbury Kepple. While living in Dunkirk in 1929, he became the first Eagle Scout from that city. He later won an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point from which he graduated in 1939. The day after graduation, he married his childhood sweetheart, Reta Little, in the Post Chapel at West Point. Following an initial assignment to Fort Huachuca, AZ, he actively served in the Pacific theater during World War II earning the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster. At the close of the conflict, he was the Regimental Executive Officer of the 25th Infantry Regiment. He left active duty in 1954 and worked as a civil engineer while remaining active in the Army Reserve until his retirement with the rank of colonel in 1976. In 1962, he entered the Federal Civil Service, initially working in the Office of the Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon. He later joined the Office of Civil Defense as a nuclear research engineer, retiring in 1972. Following Reta’s untimely death in 1978, he married Nina Jabara in 1980 and he and Nina traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, and Africa. After making their home in Green Valley, AZ, they also traveled throughout the United States and Canada in their motor home. In 1997, Charles and Nina moved to Salisbury, NC where they lived together until Nina’s death in 2005. In his later years, Charles resided at the Trinity Oaks retirement home in Salisbury where he spent many happy moments in the company of his many friends among the other residents. During his life, Charles was active in many organizations including the Masons, Elks, and Lions. He was also an active member of the Association of Graduates, USMA, the Military Officers Association, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. While in Salisbury, he and Nina were active members of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Charles was preceded in death by his wife Reta, wife Nina, son David, and sister Bessie Kepple Cardy. He is survived by his sister, Ruth Kepple Baldwin of Dunkirk, NY, daughter, Susan Kepple Worley of Whitney, TX, son, John N. Kepple III of Oakton, VA, daughter-in-law Andrea Kepple of Winston-Salem, NC, 11 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at St John’s Lutheran Church, Salisbury, NC at a later date with burial in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial donations in remembrance of Charles may be made to the charity of your choice.