Hugh Kepner Obituary

Hugh Griffiths Kepner

Born: October 23, 1922

Died: September 3, 2017

Hugh Griffiths Kepner, age 94, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 3, 2017 while surrounded by loving family.

Hugh, known as "Kep", was born on October 23, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois to Hugh C. and Margaret Kepner. He married his high school sweetheart, Norma Virginia Smith who predeceased him in 2003. They were married 59 years and began their lives together while Kep was serving in the military. Kep achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant Field Artillery in the U.S. Army during WWII. Toward the end of his military career he served in the Army Air Force preparing for the invasion of Japan as a reconnaissance pilot. After service, Kep returned to Purdue University to finish his B.S., studying Mechanical Engineering.

Upon graduation, he soon started Kepner Products Company with his father, Hugh C. Kepner. Plans changed suddenly when the elder Kepner passed away leaving him to run the business. Kep invented and patented a unique line of Kep-O-seal valves with a "Flexible Seal Seat" that are leakproof in high pressure applications. His valves were used in Rocketdyne's Atlas engines which were in the rockets that launched John Glenn into space. From these early years KPC deepened its involvement in aerospace/aviation programs which later spread the company's efforts into a wide variety of industrial applications. Kepner Products Company enters its 70th year of production on September 10, 2017. Throughout his career Kep served in top leadership positions in the National Fluid Power Association and Fluid Power Educational Foundation. He also served many years in church work, as elder and trustee, through his membership in the Presbyterian Church.

Kep was a devoted husband to the love of his life, Norma; caring and loving father to Kathryn K. (Thomas L. MD) Schmidt, Janet V. (Louis C. Chatroop) Kepner, Elizabeth K. (Gregory) Broschka; cherished grandfather to Margaret A. Schmidt, Carrie V. (Thomas J.) Crowe, Meredith L. Engstrom, and David K. (Caroline B.) Broschka; and great-grandfather to Thomas H. Crowe, Joseph E. Crowe and Daniel B. Broschka. He was a mentor, provider, leader, inventor, traveler and avid reader throughout his whole life. We will all greatly miss him.

The Funeral service was held at Christ Church of Oak Brook, 501 Oak Brook Rd., Oak Brook, Illinois, on Monday, September 11, 2017.

Memorial donations may be made to Christ Church of Oak Brook and Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, 155 E. Brush Hill Rd., Elmhurst, IL 60126.

Funeral info 630-834-3515 or www.ahlgrim.com.