Donald Urban Kreppein Sr.

Born April 19, 1936, in New York City, he was the eldest son of the late Urban A Kreppein and Emily E Kreppein. After graduating Tenafly High School in 1953, he attended the University of Rochester on an ROTC scholarship. Upon graduation, Don was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Marine Corps where he served as a helicopter pilot for the next five years. After leaving the Marines, Don returned to the New York City area where he attended Columbia Business School and earned an MBA in the mid 1960s. After trying his luck in the corporate world for a short time, he applied for a job as a pilot with American Airlines on a whim and stayed for the next 32 years. This is where Don found his professional calling as he quickly rose from flight engineer to full captain. He flew every airplane in the American fleet and flew them with excellence and distinction. He was always happy to bring friends, family and even traveling celebrities into the cockpit to see how everything worked and sometimes to ease their nerves. His favorite part of the job was the landing, and he earned a reputation among his peers as the smoothest pilot during any landing, regardless of conditions.

In addition to flying, the other joy of Don’s life was his family. He and his wife Carol of 67 years raised 7 boys and 19 grandchildren primarily in Greenwich, CT and then all over the country. Despite a hectic schedule of flying out of either JFK, LGA or Newark airports, Don was always available to attend a game or performance or help someone with their homework. You would always see him in the back of the rink or on a sideline standing there with immense pride as he watched his family chase their dreams. When it came to his family, “no” was simply not a response he ever considered. It was always “yes” or “when” or “why not.” This confidence and can-do attitude are now reflected in all of his children and grandchildren.

Additionally, Don was a lifelong and devoted member of the Catholic Church. He was an active member at St Catherine of Siena parish in Riverside, CT for 32 years and enjoyed daily mass at the St. Matthews Chapel after he moved to Charlotte. Regardless of the hymn, you could always hear him singing at the top of his lungs as if the Pope was listening.

Throughout his life, Don was a great son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.