John Raymond Rapp

John Raymond Rapp, of Roanoke, Va., died on Thursday, September 25, 2008. He was born in Rochester, N.Y., on January 5, 1923, to Frank and Helena Rapp, the fourth of five sons. He was predeceased by his parents; his four brothers; and his first wife, Elizabeth Ann Vierhile Rapp. He is survived by his devoted wife and caregiver, Emily Hickey Rapp; and his four children, Carla Rapp and Fritz Hopfinger, of Victor, N.Y., Linda Jones and George, of Beaufort, S.C., John Rapp and Linda Brown, of Ionia, N.Y., and Philip Rapp and Wendy, of Hampden, Maine. He also leaves six grandchildren, John Rapp and Nancy, Andrew Spurrier and Danielle Dampf, Ana Rapp, Sage Rapp, Aryn Rapp, and Kate Rapp; as well as two greatgrandchildren, Owen and Ruby Spurrier; nieces, Sallye Stutzman and Suzanne Straus; and nephews, Gary and Bruce Rapp. He would want special mention made of his niece Suzi, who kept in close touch with her uncle and often visited him. John graduated from West High in Rochester and married Ann, his high school sweetheart, soon after joining his three older brothers in the World War II effort. He served as a navigator for what was then the Army Air Corps, 390th Bomb Group, flying missions in Europe until his plane was shot down near Dresden, Germany. First Lieutenant Rapp crash landed, was wounded, taken prisoner, and held in Germany until Russian troops liberated his camp near the end of the war. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his service.
Upon his return home, he completed undergraduate work at the University of Rochester, later earning a master's degree in mathematics from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. For much of his working life, he served as director of math instruction for the Rochester school system, as well as a teacher of math at Monroe High School. John also continued to serve in the Air Force active reserve, retiring after 24 years with the rank of Lt. Colonel.
With Ann, he bought and renovated a home in Honeoye Falls, N.Y., putting his substantial talents in carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work and his seemingly boundless energy and determination to constant good use while also participating in the community, notably in the Village Players group and Rotary Club.
John loved Maine, camping in that state with his family for many years and eventually buying, renovating and thoroughly enjoying a comfortable waterfront cottage in South Harpswell, Maine. Calling his retirement retreat "AfterMath," he spent summers clamming, scuba diving, and exploring the islands of Casco Bay in his motorboat. His favorite parting comment was "Write if you get work."
In 1990, John lost Ann. In 1993, he married Emily Hickey, a former resident of Honeoye Falls, and joined her in Sanford, N.C. John and Emily enjoyed traveling in this country, Europe, and Asia. In failing health, John relocated with Emily to Roanoke, Va., in 2005, where she continued to care for him.
John also leaves his stepchildren, Michael and Sarah Higgins, of Roanoke, Va., Michael and Martha Wallace, of Katonah, N.Y., and Thomas and Carol Hickey, of Columbus, Ohio. A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, October 4, 2008, in the chapel at Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the National Parkinson's Disease Association or Second Presbyterian Church.