Thomas "Tim" L. Rappis

Thomas “Tim” Rappis of Mukwonago passed away peacefully at Waukesha Memorial Hospital on Monday, September 8, 2025, at the age of 82. Born in 1943 to Samuel and Jeanette (nee Ryan) Rappis, Tim graduated from Waukesha High School in 1961, where he excelled in athletics and was a key contributor to the 1960 -1961 State finalist basketball team. Tim played football at Carroll University and earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He enjoyed a long career as an educator at Greendale High School where he taught AP History, Psychology and Parapsychology. During his career, he coached football, basketball, baseball, golf and softball for the Panthers. On August 8th, 2013, Tim became St. Luke’s Hospital’s 800th heart transplant recipient. In 2020, Tim was inducted into the Land O’Lakes Baseball Hall of Fame. Tim was a lifelong University of Notre Dame football fan, where he often travelled to take in a game. The thing that he enjoyed most was spending time with his 7 grandchildren, especially watching them perform and compete, which could have meant golf, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, softball or volleyball, to name just a few of the many activities. Whether they were playing on the field, marching in the band, dancing on the stage or in the high school play, Tim was there cheering them on. Tim married Sally (nee Larson) Rappis in 1967, and she is left to celebrate his life along with their two sons James (Annie) Rappis and Ryan (Lynn) Rappis, and their 7 Grandchildren - Sydney, Reginald (Katherine), Lucy, Nolan, Camden, Emma and Claire. He is survived by other friends and family, including his sisters Marlene (Jim) Dudkiewicz and Lauren Robinson, and sister-in-law Sande Larson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, James D. Rappis, Georgia Catarozoli, Merry Strohm and Elaine Rappis, and his brother-in-law Gilbert Larson. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, October 19th, from 11am to 3pm at Ella’s Public House, W325 S1777 Mickle Road, Delafield, WI 53018.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tim’s memory to the Waukesha Humane Society (https://hawspets.givecloud.co/give) or the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/giving/ways-to-give/foundation-giving)