James K. Kapp

James Kevin "Kapper" Kapp, 59, of Monroeville, died Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Jim leaves behind his amazing wife of 29 years, Kathy (Harman) Kapp, and his wonderful children, Dillon (Amanda), Kelly (Brandon Miller) and Ricki. Jim is also survived by his brother, Bernard (Lee) Kapp, and his sister, Terry (Ron) Miller, along with nieces, nephews and his entire ski family. He was preceded in death by his sister, Janet (late Peter James) Gottardi, and his brother, Kenneth B. Kapp. Jim was an East Allegheny Wildcat (swimming and diving) and a Michigan State University Spartan. Jim taught hundreds of children and adults to swim and dive through the American Red Cross' after school learn-to-swim program, first at Woodland Hills High School, then at Gateway High School. Also, as a water safety instructor and a water safety instructor teacher, he taught other swim coaches at the University of Pittsburgh Aquatic School. Jim was the adventurous type. He enjoyed SCUBA diving (being a PADI master diver), sky diving, mountain biking and aggressive road bicycling. Jim pedaled his bicycle 150 miles from Pittsburgh to Erie for 12 consecutive years for the MS Society, raising funds to combat that neuromuscular disease. Jim's profession was as an ophthalmic technician, specializing in electrophysiology, and he also was an optician. Over his career, he was employed with Jones-Kapp and Joyce, the Chang Eye Group, UPMC Eye Center and 360 Care. Jim also was employed for more than 30 years by Seven Springs Mountain Resort. He was a professional ski instructor who had attained high levels of certification through the Professional Ski Instructors of America. He attained Level 3 Alpine, Level 3 Telemark, Level 1 Snowboard and he was Master Teacher certified. Jim resurrected the Western PA Ski Council, and its 17 ski clubs, from dormancy and served as its president and as a representative for several ski clubs. He is a life member and past president/social director of the Westmoreland Ski Club. He most recently has been the treasurer for the Appalachian Telemark Association and produced for over 15 years, the two-day ski festival known as Telepalooza. Jim also taught both Snowshoeing and Wildlife Tracking Through Snow at Community College of Allegheny County. Jim was a longtime volunteer and board member for the non-profit 501 (3), Trail Pittsburgh organization and was one of the Boyce Park stewards. Friends are welcome from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at PATRICK T. LANIGAN FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., Turtle Creek/Monroeville Chapel, 1111 Monroeville Ave. at James St., Turtle Creek, 412-823-9350, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday. Jim will be laid to rest in Good Shepherd Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Professional Ski Instructors Association Education Fund in the name of Jim Kapp. The contribution can be sent to PSIA-E, 5 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203.