Col. Stephen S. Kappa

After a long battle with congestive heart failure, Retired U.S. Army Colonel Stephen S. Kappa completed his earthly mission on Thursday April 25, 2024. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family. COL Kappa was born on December 1, 1946, in War, WV, to the late Margaret and Stan Kappa.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Kim; daughters: Monica Centers (Dick) of Evansville, IN and Kelly Pashke (Nate) of Ashburn, VA; grandchildren: Aaron Centers (Jessica) of Herndon, VA, and Megan Ettensohn (Keil) of Evansville, IN. He is also survived by Kim's sons: Brandon (Andrea) Isaacs of Falls View, WV, Matthew (Brandie) Isaacs of Twenty Mile, WV and Michael Isaacs of Winfield, WV; and Kim's grandchildren: Emma, Lilly, Emily, Ayden, and Dylan; and his sister: Margaret Pudlo of Bethel Park, PA. He'll also be missed by many extended family members, friends, and their dear friend, Janice, who was more like family and helped in many capacities of his care. His cherished fur babies will also miss him greatly.
He graduated from Big Creek High School in War, WV; earned a Bachelor of Arts from Regents College; and a Master of Arts in Organizational Communication from West Virginia University. In addition to his military service, he served the community through involvement with Ascension Catholic Church of Hurricane, WV, and the Knights of Columbus.
He enlisted in the U.S Army in 1966 and attended Basic Training at Ft. Jackson, SC.
COL Kappa was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA, Class 95-67, on 31 October 1967. His first duty assignment was as a Tactics Instructor, Ranger Training Command, at Ft. Benning, GA. He was then accepted into flight school at Ft. Rucker, AL, in 1968 and was trained on rotary wing aircraft. Following his graduation from flight school, he flew UH-1 aircraft and served in various positions with the 117th Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter) in Long Bien, Republic of Vietnam. After his tour in Vietnam, his next duty station was in Kitzingen, Germany, where he served in numerous leadership positions with 2nd Brigade/ 3rd Infantry Division. Following his active-duty service, COL Kappa returned to West Virginia and served his home state full time for the WV Army National Guard from 1974, until his retirement in 2001. He held various positions including S-2, Training Officer with 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery Battalion, Fairmont, WV; Battery Commander, 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, Morgantown, WV; S-2, Training Officer with 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, Fairmont, WV; S-1, Administration Officer, Executive Officer and S-3 for Headquarters State Area Command in Charleston, WV. COL Kappa also served as the Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, in Fairmont, WV; State Area Command Readiness Officer, and later served as Safety Officer and Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Headquarters, State Area Readiness Command, WV Army National Guard, Charleston, WV. COL Kappa finished his service with the WV Army National Guard at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, WV; first serving as the Director of Facilities of Army Training Site from 1992 to 1996; and lastly, Commander of the 197th Regiment, Regional Training Institute, from 1997 until his retirement on March 12, 2001.
Prior to his illness, COL Kappa enjoyed being outdoors boating, fishing, hunting, traveling with his wife, Kim and grew to enjoy antiquing and collecting with her. We have heard rumor that his vintage rooster collection is legendary.
Following his retirement from the WV Army National Guard, COL Kappa was appointed by then Governor Wise as the State Director, Office of Emergency Services until his next retirement in April 2005. Among his numerous achievements, awards and decorations include the Army Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Vietnam Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 devices, Expert Infantry Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Ranger Tab, two Overseas Service Bars, West Virginia Achievement Ribbon, WV Emergency Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, WV State Service Ribbon with three Oak Leaf Clusters, WV Service Ribbon with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished West Virginian Award for Meritorious Service in State Government (2005), Small Business Administration's Phoenix Award for Outstanding Service by a Public Official in Disaster Operations (2004), and Inductee to the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame, Ft. Benning, GA, for distinguished military leadership (2001).
The family would like to thank his long-time physicians, Dr. Enrique Sta Ana, Dr. Marciano Lee and Julie, along with their staff, for their exceptional care that spanned several decades. His wife, Kim, would like to extend a special thank you to his caregivers, Megan and Leanne, for their loving care, and Ascension Catholic Church of Hurricane for the years of spiritual support. The family is beyond grateful for the support and care provided by the entire staff of HospiceCare, Charleston office.
Condolences may be extended online to the family on his tribute page at: www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HospiceCare, Charleston, WV; Ascension Catholic Church Hurricane, WV; or Putnam County Animal Shelter Red House, WV.
Family and friends may pay their respects at Chapman Funeral Home Winfield, WV on Sunday April 28, 2024 from 2:00 to 4:00pm.
Funeral Service will be 12:00 noon Monday April 29, 2024 at Chapman Funeral Home Winfield, WV followed by military honors conducted at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery in Dunbar, WV.
Chapman Funeral Home 12848 Winfield Road Winfield, WV 25213 is honored to serve the Kappa family.