Robert E. Keppel, Captain, USN Retired

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Keppel, Robert E.Captain, USN (Retired) Captain Robert Eugene Keppel, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2020 at the age of 93. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Margaret Mary (Dolan) Keppel; his parents Eugene and Eleanor, and his brother Richard. He is survived by his seven children; Mark Keppel (Betty), Paul Keppel, Mary Zack, Thomas Keppel (Haydee), Christopher (Louise), Margaret Collins, Barbara Kingston (Thomas); ten grandchildren; Sarah, Philip, Madison, Anne, Katie, John, Mike , Molly, Ella, Joseph, and his brother, Patrick Keppel. Robert was born October 23, 1927 in Hibbing, Minnesota to Eugene C. Keppel and Eleanor A. Keppel of Kelly Lake, Minnesota. He graduated from Hibbing High School, Hibbing Junior College and the University of Minnesota in 1950 with a BS degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He was employed by Boeing, where he met Margaret Dolan, a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines in Seattle, who he married in 1952. He returned to the U of M to pursue research at Rosemount Research Laboratories and achieved his MS degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He then became a cofounder of Rosemount Engineering Company which manufactured instruments for high speed military and commercial aircrafts. He later obtained an MBA and became a cofounder of Torkelson Associates Inc., where he served as President until retirement in 1995. Robert enlisted in the United States Navy in 1945 and continued in the Navy Reserve. After graduating from college, he received a direct commission as an Ensign in the US Navy Reserve. He was promoted to captain and retired from the Navy Reserve after serving 38 years. He served as President of the Twin Cities Council of the Navy League, he represented the Twin Cities at the launching and commissioning of the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul submarine, he was President of the Reserve Officers Association, and President of the Naval Reserve Association. Robert raised his 7 children in Minneapolis on Lake Harriet. He took his family on annual ski trips and to warm weather destinations in his private plane. He enjoyed traveling the world with his bride and close friends. Robert was an avid skier/Nastar racer and hunter. He enjoyed many years with family at his summer home on Gull Lake taking nightly cocktail cruises, ringing the bell at sunset and being the commodore of his 4th of July parade. His spent winters during retirement at their winter home in Naples, FL. Robert and Margaret took great pride and commitment to their catholic faith. They generously supported numerous christian organizations, schools and various charities around the world. He served on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities. He holds the rank 'Knight Grand Cross' in the Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. There will be a Visitation on Monday, November 23, from 4-7pm, at Washburn-McReavy. A mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 10:30 at the church of Our Lady of Grace, 5071 Eden Ave., Edina, MN. Mass can also be viewed via live streaming video at olgparish.org/mass/… A private family burial will be held Wednesday at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul or to the Alzheimer's Association. Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th St. & Hwy 100

Published on November 15, 2020