Wallace Wells Rapp Jr.

1937 - 2021

Wallace Wells Rapp, Jr.
October 24, 1937 - June 21, 2021
Folsom, California - Wallace W. Rapp, Jr., aged 83, passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on Monday, June 21, 2021.
Wally was born October 24, 1937 to Wallace W. Rapp, Sr., and Joyce M. Rapp (Reynolds) in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where he lived for his childhood. He grew up surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins, and later his younger brother, John. In later years, Wally entertained his family with tales of his various escapades as a youth, many of which one should not try at home.
Wally joined the Army in July of 1956, after being told several times that he was not eligible, as they did not believe he could walk (despite having walked into the recruiter's office). He retired in 1979 after achieving the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He started and ended his career with the Military Police and in between worked in Chemical Battalions and Ordnance Battalions.
Wally met and married his first wife, Ilse, while stationed in Frankfurt. They were married for 25 years and had two beautiful daughters prior to their divorce in 1986.
Wally moved to Orangevale in August 1979 after his retirement from the Army. He lived in Orangevale until 2017, when he moved to Folsom, where he remained until his passing.
After retiring from the military, Wally worked as Security Supervisor and contract Administrator for several companies, and as co-owner and office manager at Advanced Curb, as well as a tax preparer at H&R Block, which he enjoyed very much.
In July 1992, Wally joined AA. He became involved in many groups and the American River Alano Club. He served in various roles throughout his time at the Alano and was actively serving as Treasurer and editor of the newsletter at the time of his passing. His daughters learned to schedule family gatherings around the time of his Book study on Sundays, and weeknight family gatherings happened on Wednesdays.
Wally met his second wife Becky, at an AA meeting in 1995. They married in 2003 and remained married until Becky's passing in July 2016.
Wally was a kind, quiet "old soul". He met each person where they were on their journey, without judgment. He was always ready to lend a helping hand and enjoyed many friendships throughout his life.
One of the greatest joys of his later years was reconnecting with his eldest daughter, Angelika, and meeting his granddaughters and elder great-grandson, who live in Germany. He made the most of every moment he had, traveling to Germany to spend the Christmas holidays with them in 2018. Sadly, the COVID restrictions prevented the most recently planned trips for family reunion in 2020.
His family loved and respected him as the head of the family. He was always available with a word of advice or just a listening ear. Wally was known for carrying dog treats of any kind for dogs he might come across, and for keeping the AA meetings and Alano Club candy dishes filled. He had a quiet, dry humor, and a great grin and a smile that lit up his whole face. It was not unusual for Wally to sit quietly through a conversation and then interject a sly comment that would elicit laughter from all around.
Wally is much loved and missed by his daughters, Angelika Binnen, S. Patrice Rapp, and Sandra Rapp; his grandchildren, Katharina Müller-Binnen, Jason Rapp (Kara), Michael Rapp, Bryan Rapp, and Anna Binnen (Marc); great-grandchildren, Perrin, Lana, Emily, Jonathan, Spencer, Jacob, Remington, and Lio; his brother, John Rapp and John's family; and Traci and Lili Duke, his daughter and granddaughter in love.
Plans for the Celebration of Life and Military Burial are not yet finalized and will be announced later.
In lieu of flowers, Wally would have appreciated a donation made in his name to the following:
American River Alano Club
WEAVE
AMVETS
American Cancer Society