Ross T. Koepnick

He was born July 25, 1935 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Frederick A. Koepnick and Doris E. Mann. Ross lived in Northbrook, Illinois for many years with his wife, Nancy C. Kuehn, who passed away in December, 1999 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Ross cared for Nancy until she died in their home in Lake Zurich, IL.

Ross was a loving husband and father evidenced by his care for his wife; and his successful upbringing of four children who all graduated from college with multiple degrees due to Ross' and Nancy's superb parenting. Ross taught Industrial Education (Shop) at Deerfield and Highland Park High Schools, and retired with over 25 years of dedicated service in 1990. Ross' students appreciated his down to earth teaching style, and he received letters of thanks years later.

Ross graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor's in Education in 1960, and received a Masters in Industrial Education from the Chicago Teachers College in 1963. Ross enjoyed watching sports of all kinds, especially football as he would tell stories about playing guard at Evanston High School graduating in 1954. Ross was also a big fan of science fiction TV and movies.

Ross is survived by his four children, four grandchildren, and sister: Lance Koepnick (son) and James Black of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Dale Koepnick (son), wife Betsy Koepnick and Reid Koepnick (grandson) of Naperville, IL; Bruce Koepnick (son) and Phyllis Newman of Plainfield, IL; Jill Sales (daughter), husband Rafael Saenz, Devin Sales (grandson), Dylan Sales (grandson), and Maggie Saenz (step-granddaughter) of San Antonio, TX; and Joy Kapsala (sister) of Sun City West, AZ.

Ross' children will gather by their father's side in San Antonio during Christmas, prior to Ross being cremated and sent to his final resting next to his wife, Nancy, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.