Richard Martin “Dick” Gappen, 81, of Plantation, Florida died Saturday, July 23, 2016 while in hospice care.
Born September 17, 1934 to Edith and Martin Gappen in Geneva, Illinois, Dick grew up an only child in Wheaton, Illinois. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout with 3 Palms, and discovered his passions for running cross country and wrestling at Wheaton Community High School. Dick earned the Knox Memorial Scholarship to Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where he graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1956. There, he continued to wrestle, was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, and met his future wife, Anita Grace Kester. Just after marrying in June of 1957, they reported to Ft. Lee, VA for 2 years of service in the U.S. Army.
Dick’s career selling filing systems took off in Cincinnati, Ohio with Diebold Safe & Vault, where his family grew to 3 children and 1 dog. A Branch Manager position took the family to Boston, MA during the nation’s bicentennial, then Dick moved the family to Florida where he started Professional Filing Systems, now run by his older son.
Dick camped with his family in state and national parks, instilling a love of nature and a sense of adventure in his kids. Whether hiking on glaciers, river rafting, scuba diving or exploring life in the Galapagos Islands and Down Under, Dick shared his active life with family & friends. Dick’s friendly, outgoing personality, tales of adventure, sense of humor and infectious laugh will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Dick truly didn’t know a stranger.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Anita Grace Gappen; sons Richard Martin Gappen, Jr. (Selene), and Randall John Gappen; daughter Tamara Lynn Gappen (Diane); 2 grandchildren Micaela and Lucas Gappen; brother- and sister-in- law Robert and Jean Anderson; nephews Tres, Bill and Peter Anderson, niece Becky Wilkins, and their spouses, children and families.
Visitation: Friday, August 5, 2016 4 - 7P.M. at T.M. Ralph Funeral Home, 7001 NW 4th St., Plantation, Florida 33317.
Funeral Service: Saturday, August 6, 2016 11:00 A.M. at Plantation United Methodist Church, 1001 NW 70th Ave., Plantation, FL 33313.