BAINBRIDGE – Robert W. “Bob” Kappauf, Sr., 85, of the Bainbridge-Oxford area, passed away early Saturday morning, Aug. 22, 2009, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born in Bellmore, Long Island, in November of 1923, to Richard and Pauline Schlagel Kappauf, Bob grew up in Long Island and was a graduate of the Mepham High School. Immediately following his graduation, he entered the U.S. Army to serve his country. Bob returned home with his honorable discharge and worked for a time for his brother’s sanitation service before taking employment with Nassau County. On June 19, 1948, in Seaford, LI, he married Eleanor Lawrence. The Kappaufs made their home in Seaford until 1970 and, during those years, Bob owned and operated his own landscaping business. After their move upstate to their present home in 1970, they owned and operated the Brackette Lake Campgrounds, and Bob simultaneously worked for the Raymond Corporation in Greene, from which he retired at the age of 62. A man always on the move, Bob enjoyed his country home. He liked hunting and fishing, taking his rowboat out on the lake, maintaining his garden and canning the produce from it, raising pigeons, and caring for his cows and chickens. He and Eleanor, with several friends, liked to play poker. Bob was a very active member of the VFW Christy Rock Post 2782 of Norwich, and an integral part of the military rites detail which honors deceased veterans. He was also involved in the VFW’s bingo program, coordinating and operating the Tuesday night games.
Bob is survived by his wife, Eleanor Kappauf; by his daughter, Diane Labour and her husband David of Nescopeck, Pa., his son, Robert Kappauf, Jr. of Bainbridge; and his grandchildren: Michele Gilligan and husband Tom, Jamin Labour and wife Shannon, Robert Kappauf III and fiancee Kimberly Murphy. He is also survived by his great grandchildren: Erin and Emalee Gilligan, Alyssa Labour, and William Kappauf; his brother, Thomas Kappauf and wife Betty Anne of Lake Placid, Fla., nieces and nephews. Bob was predeceased by his sisters, Marion, Elsie, Isabelle, and Jeanette, and brothers, Richard, Harold, Alfred and Herbert.
Memorial services for Bob will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. Chaplain Harold Funke of VFW Post 2782 will officiate. Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the service at 1 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to VFW Christy Rock Post 2782, 61-63 East Main St., Norwich, NY 13815.