Obituary: Robert Keppner, 96, Ludington.

Obituary: Robert Keppner, 96, Ludington.

Robert H. Keppner, of Ludington, passed away peacefully at his home Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the age of 96.

Bob, as his friends called him, was born November 7, 1922 in Cicero, Ill. to Harry Washington Keppner and Elizabeth Anastasia Wendell. He attended Morton High School in Cicero, class of 1941. His college studies were interrupted during World War II when he enlisted in the Army. After discharge, he completed his B.S. in architectural engineering at the University of Illinois, February 1948. After graduating, Bob worked in Chicago for the architectural firm Carr & Wright, eventually becoming a partner in the firm. Later he worked for Klug & Smith in Milwaukee until retirement.

Bob was a kind and gentle man who met the love of his life, Patricia J. Hoffman, at the University of Illinois. They were married in Riverside, Ill.., November 20, 1949. They lived in Lake Forest, Ill. from 1958 until 1987 where they raised four daughters in a home that Bob designed. They retired to Ludington in 1992, where Bob designed and helped to build their dream home on Hamlin Lake. He relished years of visits from friends, relatives, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In Ludington he pursued many active, creative, and cerebral interests including boating, fishing, sculpting, woodworking, bridge, and puzzle solving. For many years Bob played competitive ACBL duplicate bridge with Patricia as his partner.

He is survived by daughters Debra Schurr (Donald), Cynthia Marble (Larry Dellard), and Laura Merrill (Patrick); four grandchildren Matthew Merrill (Alyson), Christina Secrets (Garrett), Andrew Schurr, and Ryan Schurr; and three great-grandchildren Conrad and Zachary Merrill and Charlotte Secrets.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Alfred and Harold, sisters Myrtle Dickey, Eleanor Ehlers, Dorothy Ernst, and Helen Unger, and eldest daughter Kristine.

A Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be held on Monday, June 3, 2019 at 11 a.m. at St. Simon Catholic Church, with Rev. Wayne B. Wheeler, Jr. presiding.  Visitation will start at 10 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Robert’s name may be made to the Ludington Senior Center or St. Simon Church.

Please share your fond memories and photos of Bob at www.oakgroveludington.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington.