Theodore Bruce Kiper III

1944 - 2025

Theodore Bruce Kiper III known by everyone as "Ted," 80, of Crawfordville, passed away peacefully at Margaret Z Dozier in Tallahassee on Oct. 30, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Known by his insatiable curiosity, humor, intellect, and work ethic, Ted lived his life devoted to his family and friends and endless list of "projects."
Ted was born on Nov. 23,1944 to Theodore and Loretta Kiper in Graham, Texas. His brother James came along 1947. In 1951, the family moved to Tallahassee, were Ted became interested in boxcar racing and working on cars.
Ted started his schooling at Chaires Elementary School where he made lifelong friends that he still shared close relationships with and maintained throughout his life. Ted graduated from Leon High School in Tallahassee. While a student, he enjoyed and learned school photography, which became one of his early interests, and ended up working with his Dad in their own studio. Ted served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He attended Florida State University where he received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. In his younger years, Ted was a professional Pilot and Flight Instructor. He received several advanced certifications in the aviation field including the Airframe and Power Plant Certification. This certification, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration authorized him to perform annual inspections on airplanes and certify them as airworthy.
Ted had a lifelong interest in sailing and had a U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain's License. He served for some years, on a part-time basis, as an Assistant Professor in the Florida State University Physical Education Department where he taught Blue Water (offshore) Sailing. Sailing Florida's coast led him to an interest in coastal ocean currents and shoreline erosion and accretion. This led him to a career in coastal cartography. After joining the Florida Geological Survey (FGS), he piloted FGS boats along the entire coastline of Florida. Using the latest GPS technology and water depth measuring technology, a precise delineation of Florida's coastal shores was created. Ted was an excellent cartographer and updated all of Florida's hand-drawn shoreline maps so they could be preserved in digital format.
After retirement, Ted met the love of his life, Evelyn Watt, who later became Evelyn Kiper. He especially enjoyed the company of Evelyn's two sons, James and Albert, who he treated as his own. He described his years with Evelyn as the happiest days of his life.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents Theodore Bruce Kiper II and Loretta M. (Litchfield) Kiper, his brother James B. Kiper, and his late wife Dale L. (Wilson) Kiper.
He is survived by his wife Evelyn Kiper, his stepsons James Watt and Albert Watt, his beloved niece Melinda Kiper (Mike Cook), his nephew Rick Kiper (Judy Kiper), and other nieces Sherril Kiper Knight, Rena Kiper Gremillion and Jessica Kiper.
A burial with Military Honors will be held at the National Cemetery in Tallahassee on Nov. 21, 2025, at 1 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Nov. 29, 2025 at 1 p.m. at the Wakulla Community Center, 318 Shadeville Road, in Crawfordville.
Skip & Trey Young along with Heather and Amanda are assisting the family. Family Funeral Home at Harvey Young Chapel.