Sandra Taylor Kaupe

Sandra Taylor (“Sandy”) Kaupe, a life-long Floridian and passionate outdoorswoman, died peacefully at her long time home in Palm Beach on February 28, 2016. Sandy, daughter of John and Elizabeth Taylor, grew up on Clearwater Beach, catching fish for dinner behind her house and learning very early in life to sail, fish and hunt from her father. She showed dogs and horses as a teen, and developed a passion for animals that stayed with her throughout life.

After graduating from Rollins College in 1957 with a degree in history, she married Don Wilson. As a young newlywed, she traveled the United States with Don, a professional hydroplane racer. After living briefly in Detroit, Sandy and Don settled in Palm Beach to begin raising a family and, together, developed a love for sportfishing. After Don’s death in 1966, Sandy continued to fish, winning many tournaments over the next three decades and was noted in Sports Illustrated for her accomplishments in sport fishing. As a competitive angler, she helped organize fishing tournaments and developed a greater passion for conservation, particularly in the area of fisheries.

She married Dr. Arthur Kaupe, a local physician who maintained a general practice in Palm Beach for over thirty-five years, in 1968. Together they enjoyed boating, traveling, and the Miami Dolphins, where Sandy was a season ticket holder from the team’s inception.

Her love of Florida’s outdoors led her to purchase a cattle ranch in Kenansville, Florida where she enjoyed observing nature and her interest in preserving the Florida of her childhood deepened. She later placed a conservation easement on the Ranch to ensure the land would be protected from future development. Her greatest joy was spending time fishing on her boat the “Sandra T” or at her ranch with her family and close friends.

All of her experiences in Florida and the outdoors led to her appointment to a five year term as a Commissioner of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in 2002. The Commission is responsible for overseeing the management of Florida’s fish and wildlife resources for their long term well-being and benefit. In 2007, Sandy was named Conservationist of the Year by the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida.

Over the years, Sandy was an active volunteer with the Junior League of the Palm Beaches and the International Women’s Game Fishing Association. Throughout her life, she supported many philanthropic endeavors and served as a director on various boards including the Nickolas School at Duke University, the National Coalition for Marine Conservation (now Wild Oceans), the Surdna Foundation, the Clearwater Marine Science Museum, The Florida Aquarium and the West Palm Beach Fishing Club.

Sandy touched people in many circles and walks of life with her generosity and kindness including her Sailfish Club friends, the sport fishing community and the ranching community in Kenansville.

She is preceded in death by husbands Don Alfred Wilson and Dr. Arthur Peter Kaupe, and her son, Don “Hap” Wilson. She is survived by son, Peter Douglas Kaupe of Palm Beach, daughter Christine Kaupe Peterson of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, daughter and son-in-law, Shari Wilson and Hans Miller of Washington D.C. daughters-in-law, Patrice Kaupe and Serena Wilson, and granddaughters Alexis and McKenzie Wilson, all of West Palm Beach and granddaughter Kim Kaupe of New York City.

Sandra T will be missed by many. A memorial celebration of a life well lived will be held at the Royal Poinciana Chapel on Friday, March 4th at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the West Palm Beach Fishing Club.