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Walter Krepling Obituary

Walter "Walt" Krepling Jr. July 23, 1921 to November 3, 2012

Walt Krepling grew up in South Ozone Park in the borough of Queens, NY where he excelled at baseball and basketball. As a member of Mike Nelson's Richmond Hill Dodgers in the Queens-Nassau Baseball Alliance, Walt ran up a 27 game hit streak. Walt was invited to Spring Training by the Brooklyn Dodgers, but the war intervened.

Walt joined the Army Air Corps, and, after significant amounts of basic training followed by flight training, qualified for assignment as a copilot of a B-17 bomber. On November 16, 1943 Walt flew in his first combat mission out of Tunis, North Africa with a group of 98 other B-17s headed for Le Tube France. They successfully bombed the target but ran into significant flak and 15 or more ME 109 fighter airplanes. Walt soon was promoted to pilot and flew many missions where he was responsible for the men and the airplane. By May 6, 1944 (less than six months) Walt had completed 51 missions and was proud to say that he had brought the men and the airplane home each and every time. (Sometimes pretty banged up) Walt moved on to the Pacific Theater where he served as part of the Second Emergency Rescue Squadron based at Palawan in the Philippine Islands before becoming the personal pilot for Major General Paul Wurtsmith, Commander of the Thirteenth Air Force for the last part of his military career. Walt received numerous medals and awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Presidential Unit Citations and the Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters.

After leaving the military, Walt joined Eastern Airlines as a pilot in January 1946. He was promoted to Captain in 1954, Assistant Manager of Operations in 1964, and to Director of Flight for the New York area in 1968. His next promotion, to Chief Pilot, occurred in 1972 and Walt relocated his family to Miami, FL, to Corporate Headquarters. At that point, Walt supervised more than 3,600 flight officers. Eastern Airlines became the "family business" when both of his two daughters (Barbara and Patrice) became flight attendants.

After retiring in 1981 as required by the "60 year old rule", Walt became very active with the REPA (Retired Eastern Pilots Association) and grandchildren started arriving in 1985. After 56 years together, Walt and his wife Marian were separated in April of 2000 when Marian succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Walt is also predeceased by one son, Robert, in 1976.

After a couple of years trying to make it on his own, Walt was blessed to meet and marry Angela Prosser from Chile in 2003 and they moved to Naples, FL. Together, they traveled to South America and the Far East. Walt loved Angela's extended family especially Lauren and Chloe.

Walt is survived by his wife Angela; two daughters, Barbara Hingston (Roy), and Patrice Messina (Paul); as well as two grandsons, Rob Hingston and Brian Hingston. He will always be loved and missed by his family and friends.

Mass and Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday at St. Louis Catholic Church, 7720 SW 120 Street. Friends may call from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday at: Stanfill Funeral Homes, 10545 South Dixie Highway, Pinecrest, FL 33156, 305-667-2518.



Published by Naples Daily News on Nov. 7, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
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Dear Angela
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief and always remember I'm a phone call away.

Maria Pusey

Friend

October 31, 2023

Condolences to the Krepling family...it was an honor to have met Walt, when I started my career with Eastern Airlines.

Karl Lonieski

March 15, 2013

To The Krepling Family: It is with fond memories that I remember my association with Walter when he was my boss at EAL in NY. He was part of "The Great Generation" and his kindness, compassion, and understanding, made better aviators of all of us. He was a Gentleman of the first order and will be missed by all who were touched by his life. He will be in my prayers. Capt. Joseph R. Hackett, EAL Ret.

November 18, 2012

A great guy and pilot. My condolences to the family. Bill Carney Ocala, FL

November 11, 2012

Remenber all the good and happy time and it will get you through the days ahead. We only knew Walter for a short time and always enjoyed his great stories.Our deepest sympathy to Angela and all the family. Eliana and Glenn

Glenn M Chamberlain

November 10, 2012

He will be missed. He was so well respected. My condolences to the family.

Janice Granier Gruber (F/A) and widow of Capt. Charles Gruber EAL

November 8, 2012

My condolences to Walt's family and friends.

Beverly LaPointe

November 8, 2012

I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending you the best energy from NY, wish I could be there in person.

Laura Riveros

November 8, 2012

My condolences to your family. May he rest in our Lord's arms.

Leslie McConachie

November 7, 2012

Dear Angela,
May loving memories of your husband fill your thoughts during your time of sorrow.
un fuerte abrazo, querida amiga.

Maria Pusey

November 7, 2012

A great man,


















A great man, a great Airline.

A great man,







A great man, a great Airline.

CAPTAIN JERRY THOMPSON

November 6, 2012

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