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Rita Karpie Obituary
She was serving as Mayor of Melbourne Beach and as Assistant Professor of Biology at Brevard Community College at the time of her passing. She held a Bachelor's degree in environmental health from Old Dominion University, in VA, Master's degree in biological sciences from Florida Tech in Melbourne. She was strongly involved in education and environmental issues and was an active member and volunteer of many organizations that support these concerns including but not least, the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, Barrier Island Center, Florida Native Plant Society, Service Learning Program, and Florida Academy of Sciences.
She is survived by brothers, Edward Karpie of VA, Michael Karpie of SC, and James Baker of CA; and a wonderful group of kids who grew up knowing her as Aunt Rita, and by the many people whose lives she had touched.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Rita Karpie Beach Overlook Fund at BB&T, 4401 Ocean Ave. Melbourne Bch., FL 32951. A celebration of her life will be held on July 23, 2011 at 6:30 at the Melbourne Beach Community Center. Bring pictures and memories and stories.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rita Karpie
Sponsored by anonymous.
Michael
July 6, 2025
Miss you very much. I'll never forget spending time with you on that sail boat.
Miss you sweetie
Michael
ivy
October 18, 2024
Miss you so much.
Michael Williams
September 21, 2024
I am very sad to hear this bad news. Loved working with you at WFIT in Melbourne.
Blessings
Michael
Billie Brown
July 6, 2024
Still missing you
Ivy
July 9, 2021
9 years. I still miss you everyday.
Billie Brown
July 7, 2021
I miss you Rita. Now you and Julia can be my angels snd watch over me.
Billie Brown
July 7, 2020
I cant believe it has been 9 years. Just last Saturday I ran into a past student of 32 years ago that remembered you, fondly I may say. You were one of my best friends. Miss you
Michael Karpie
July 6, 2020
Nine years ago I held her hand as she silently passed. I went down to the beach that evening for some contemplative silence and eventually feel asleep in the sand.
I awoke the next morning to find a set of sea turtle tracks on either side of me. A turtle had apparently come up to lay it's eggs, passed me on one side and returned to the ocean passing me on the other side. How fitting.
I miss that woman and everything she stood for but she will always remain a guiding light for myself and many others. That was her greatest legacy.
Michael Karpie
May 18, 2020
Thank you for your kind thoughts, Marcia. Her legacy lives on in each one of us who's lives she touched.
Marcia Hughes
May 17, 2020
For Rita's family, A nice note from Rita, my supervisor, popped on my FB history today thanking me for being a moderator for the last shuttle launch. A man that worked with her saw the note & sent me a link to this today. Rita was so sweet & kind. She told me about her work to help the sea turtles & how much she enjoyed that volunteer work. Rita was very easy to love. I am saying a few prayers tonight for whoever reads this. Gods peace.
Sincerely, Marcia Hughes
Regina Conklin
July 7, 2019
Dear cousin Rita, I miss you. Think of you in funny ways. Thanks for the laughs. You were the closest person in my life to a sister. Glad I wrote this song and dedicated it to you The Turtle Song, by Ask for a Sign
https://youtu.be/OIxKqUdg6zw
By the way tomorrow is my last day of full time work, for now, anyway.
Love
Regina
Ivy Hover
July 7, 2019
Missing you so much.
Billie Brown
July 6, 2019
Still miss you my friend!
Regina Conklin
September 26, 2016
The Turtle Song (in memory of Rita Karpie)
{check out You tube)
https://youtu.be/OIxKqUdg6zw?list=PLG3T_YycGcQo6Va6kMGZARVUGomKPS7Ka
for you my dear cousin
I miss you
Ivy
September 16, 2016
Miss you!
Jennifer
September 7, 2016
I just found out about Rita's passing. So sad to hear that the world has lost such a giving soul. I was her student assistant in the late 90s and will always remember her as a dear friend.
Michael Karpie
September 4, 2015
Thank you Julie. As her birthday rolls around (September 16th) I can't help but wish she could be here with us again, even for a brief moment. What would I say? I don't know. I'd probably complain about the way she would call me "little" brother, or have another food fight with her...or any of the things that siblings do, knowing that there is a deep underlying love that is always there and will always bond us.
Julie (Agee) Johnson
September 3, 2015
Rita was a friend of mine back in the day. It's been 20 plus years since I saw her. She lived in Melbourne Village then. When I saw the reports of how well the sea turtles did this year, it prompted me to look her up. It pains me to find this, but gladdens me to know her work has really made a difference in the world. RIP, Rita. Peace to the family.
April 6, 2014
Thank you Trista... I will send it to you as a prayer with love
Trista Grosvenor
April 5, 2014
Regina - [email protected]. We would LOVE the song. Thank you so much.
April 4, 2014
If anyone wants the Mp3 for "The Turtle Song" the one I wrote to honor Rita... get me your e-mail & I will send it to you!
Regina Conklin
March 31, 2014
These are the lyrics for an original song for my cousin Rita Karpie written in 2013
Verse 1 Float along & go with the flow
take a break bask in the sun
fight the current swim up stream or dive down deep,swim fast as I can making waves on the pond, Stick out my neck pull in my legs
Jump off the log & take the plunge!
Ch1 If I was a turtle what would I be like? If I was a turtle what would I be like? What would I do?
If I was a turtle what would I be like? If I was a turtle what would I be like? What would I do?
Verse 2 On a day like to day what would
be my plan if I was big green & had flippers for hands where would I roam? cruse along with the gulf stream with the ocean as my home. If I was me without my shell who would I trust to take that plunge?
Ch 2
PS some of the vocal sound like they are underwater....
& I miss you...
September 17, 2013
Miss you so much. Happy Birthday a day late.
Judith Anderson
September 14, 2013
Today on Yom Kippur I think of you my friend and ask for your forgiveness if I ever did anything to hurt you....I am sorry. I miss you always.
Trista
July 12, 2013
Over two years and I still miss you horribly. There's an aching void that you filled and now it's empty but I'm learning to fill it with old memories. You'll always be with me and your voice is still in my mind guiding or chastising me. Love you.
Nellie
July 10, 2013
To say that you are missed is an understatement - always in my heart.
ivy
June 30, 2013
Miss you still
Shannon Lynch
May 19, 2013
She was a great teacher and friend.
Julio Devere
July 26, 2012
I'll always remember her as the compassionate person who genuinely cared about the environment.
Shirley Littlefield
August 17, 2011
I just found out about Professor Karpie's passing. I am so sad to hear this. I didn't do great in her Biology class, but that's only because my brain doesn't work that way. She was an amazing educator and a remarkable human being. My condolences to her family and friends.
Holly McDaniel
August 10, 2011
Rita, You were my Biology teacher at BCC in the early 90's and a tough teacher you were. But also you were willing to help if we came to you. You'll be missed as you've touched many lives during your life here on earth.-- Holly Shrewsbury--McDaniel
Michael Williams
August 10, 2011
I worked with Rita at WFIT and remember working on a Radio Station concert at the school. We did go out a few times.
I hate to hear about her passing.
I am so sorry for you loss.
Michael
Quentin Fong
July 27, 2011
Rita, may you rest in peace. Fond memories from my FIT days.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Honor-Rita-Karpie-9-16-1949-7-6-2011/119283418160895
Donna Avery
July 24, 2011
July 23, 2011
My heartfelt sympathies to Rita's Family and close Friends. So many decades have passed since i first met Rita.. So many lives touched in all those years... I know Rita is smiling on all of us. The Purity of Love, the Light of Truth, and the Wisdom to share it.. Rita walked her talk. I am blessed for having known her.
Marlow
Kelly
July 23, 2011
Can't wait to celebrate your life, bigger than life you were, today at your memorial service with all your friends! You were a joy to have as a teacher, friend and advisor, sincerely.
Julie Hosley
July 23, 2011
I will never forget when I walked into class and baby sea turtles were everywhere. You didn't mention them, but those who were curious asked, I was one of them. You got me involved with many different volunteer organizations. You were my mentor and always will be. You will be greatly missed!
July 20, 2011
REST IN PEACE RITA..........Michael
Dale Yeager
July 20, 2011
I first met her when she called herself "River Rita" as a dj at WFIT. She came, she saw, she taught. Many lessons were to be learned in Professor Karpie's classes. Talk about a wry wit. We'll miss her.
Billie Brown
July 16, 2011
To a longtime dear friend. From grad school, to BCC with all the adventures and mis-adventures along the way. I will miss you dearly. Not a day goes by that you are not in my thoughts and prayers. Love BK
Jeremy Montague
July 14, 2011
Rita, I'll miss your insight and wit at Florida Academy of Sciences...rest in peace...jrm
Jeremy Montague
July 14, 2011
Rita, I'll miss your wit & insight at FAS...rest in peace...Jeremy Montague
Muraiha Vaughn
July 14, 2011
You're in my heart. Love and miss you always. See you in the next life!
Chelsea Roadman
July 13, 2011
Please accept my most sincere condolences! I was blessed to be a Biology student of hers and I enjoyed her humorous stories and dry wit! My family and I send prayers and love! May she rest in peace after a life of service!
Jeff Ford
July 13, 2011
I met Rita as a teacher at BCC and worked with her briefly later at Cape Canaveral, I enjoyed her presence equally as a mentor and a colleague and she is one of the college professors I remember most vividly
Tim Johns
July 13, 2011
We will miss you Aunt Rita of the Karpie clan. Enjoy your new journey,
say hello to rest of our family.
Tim
2008
July 13, 2011
Trista Grosvenor
July 13, 2011
Aunt Rita - you were my teacher, my friend, my confidant, and my second mother. You had me scouting for sea turtles at 6 years old, tutored me when I was having problems with science, took me to California for the first (and only at this point) time, played backgammon with me, taught me to be a strong, intelligent, independent woman, lectured me on a regular basis and so many many other things. I will miss you more than words can say.
Cher & Ed Ciboroski
July 12, 2011
Rita you will be truly missed for all the endeavors you have ventured thru your life. May you finally find peace that you have wished for so many others.
Lloyd Behrendt
July 12, 2011
Knew Rita across the years as a true and steady disciple of the "Beach' and environs. It will miss her works, as those who knew her will miss her mentoring. Smooth Seas, RIta.
S. N.
July 12, 2011
Ms.Karpie was an inspiration and a wonderful professor.I will always remember her and continue to work on my activism to make this planet a better place for us all. She will be missed greatly..... I feel very lucky to have had her as a professor and a friend. Thank you Ms. Karpie!
2009 Service-Learning Collaboration Award, Az http://www.mesacc.edu/other/engagement/2009Awards.shtml
Sue Phillips
July 12, 2011
I will miss our many years of friendship, work, travel, sea turtle walks, being our mayor, and so much more. You touched so many lives. Thank you for including the BCC Palm Bay Campus Environmental Club and my marine bio classes in your many environmental projects. We will all miss you dearly!
Mr and Mrs Terry Gabriel
July 12, 2011
to the family of Rita Karpie,
We are deeply saddenend the loss of Ms. Karpie. She was the perfect role model for my husband and myself. God Bless You and she will be terribly missed.
Cindy Leist
July 12, 2011
Rita Karpie was an extraordinary woman. She was the epitome of logical thinking and common sense. She had the gifts of sincerity and compassion and she touched the hearts of many (including the many animals she rescued, cared for lovingly, and loved dearly). Rita is already greatly missed. The world has lost a special, gentle, and very wise soul.
The Cox family
July 12, 2011
Lovely Rita, you will be missed. Thank you for your friendship and all that you did to preserve our environment, and to protect sea turtles that you dearly loved. God bless you, and rest in peace. Margaret and Dale Cox
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