Peppel

Robert C. Peppel, 82, of Whites Corner Road, Columbus, Pa., died Saturday at Corry Manor in Corry, Pa.

He was born in 1933, in Charleroi, Pa., a son of the late Dr. Howard Peppel and Mary Austin Peppel Ramsay.

Robert was raised and educated in West Newton, Pa., and he graduated from West Newton High School in 1951.

He worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for Cleveland State Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, for 12 years. He later worked for a short time in Harrisburg, before moving to Chapman State Park in 1968. Bob became the manager in 1970 and remained the manager and superintendent of the park until he retired in 1999. He served on many boards and organizations involving the handicapped, environmental and civic groups.

Bob was a member of the Preston Lodge F & AM for 61 years, and a life member of Achbar Grotto. Since 1977, he has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania handicapped State Employee of the Year Award in 1981, and in 1982, he was honored by the Governor of Maryland as one of the 100 Most Successful Handicapped Citizens in the Nation at a dinner and reception celebrating the International Year of the Disabled.

Bob’s hobbies included restoring a farm, raising llamas and cats, kites, photography and skiing. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandkids.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Travis Godden, who died in 2003.

Bob is survived by his wife, Anne MacLees Peppel, who he married May 20, 1995, at Chapman Dam State Park; three daughters, Heather Hammerbeck and her fiance, Dean Giordano of Mars, Jessie Pituch and her husband Tom of Corry and Heidi Godden of Muse, Pa.; three sons, William Knight and his wife Christa, Kendrick Knight and his wife Amanda, all of Corry, and Ian MacLees of Adams Run, S.C.; one brother, Richard Peppel of Paris, Tenn; 15 grandchildren; and two nephews.

PEPPEL — There will be no visitation for Robert C. Peppel, who died Saturday, April 18, 2015.Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at noon June 20 at Chapman State Park, Pavilion 4.Memorials may be made to the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania, 3745 W. 12th Street, Erie, PA. 16505, or any library of one's choice.Arrangements are under the care of Bracken Funeral Home, 315 N. Center St., Corry.To sign the guest book or send condolences, please visit www.brackenfh.com.