Honoring a Great Man

On Saturday, June 3 we attended Grandpa Koepp's Memorial Service at Evergreen Cemetary in New Lebanon, NY. Kenneth Gilbert Koepp died at age 82 on December 27, 2005. As his fellow veterans testified at his funeral, Grandpa Koepp embodied the merits of a true soldier--courage, honor, and sacrifice.

His grandson Aaron Koepp told a story at the Memorial Service that nicely illustrated how Grandpa will be remembered by his six grandkids. One day, when Aaron was young and living with his grandparents, he told his grandpa that Dave (Bob's brother) had skipped school to go fishing and Aaron wanted to go too. Grandpa told Aaron to sit down and he left the room. He came back with a piece of paper on which he had written an excuse for Aaron to get out of school so that he could also go fishing. He handed Aaron the note and said sternly, "Just don't tell Nana!"

Some day we'll tell Charles Kenneth about his Great Grandfather and namesake--how special Grandpa was to so many. Bob and I will always remember the continuous line of people who steadily streamed in and out of the funeral home over the course of three hours, how he had touched each one of them in some way. We'll also remember the stoic sound of the bugler while two soldiers folded up the American flag and laid it on Nana's lap. We only wish that Charlie could have sat on his Great Grandpa's lap and listened to his stories -- how Grandpa's eyes would have twinkled then!

Cousin Brenda

Uncle Dave

Cousin Dan, Mateo and Aidan

Charlie and Aunt Judy
Aunt Toodie snuggles with Charlie

Nana and Grandma play with Charlie
Aunt Esther holds Charlie
Cousin Aaron and Nannette