William “Bill” J. Klapproth, Jr., 98, passed away on August 13, 2018 at Havenwood Heritage Heights where he has lived for the past 15 years. He was born in Chillicothe, Ohio on August 2, 1920 to William J. Klapproth and Hazel (Janes) Klapproth.
After graduating from Wittenburg College in Springfield, Ohio in 1942, he joined the Army Air Force and was sent to the University of Chicago to study meteorology before being sent to China for the duration of World War II. When he returned to the states he married Mildred Osborne, his college sweetheart, on December 1, 1945. They moved to Chicago where he earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Chicago.
Bill was hired by American Cyanamid and moved to Springdale, CT where his daughter and son were born. After living in CT and then Cranford, NJ for a few years they moved to Pittsburgh, PA. He worked at the Bridgeville plant for Cyanamid, which was purchased by Koppers and eventually ARCO. Their children were raised in Mt. Lebanon, where Bill and Mildred were both very active in Bower Hill Community Church.
They moved to Murrysville, PA in 1973 and he worked for ARCO in Monroeville until retirement. They had a few acres with a large garden in Murrysville that kept him very busy and he took up running. He set some Western Pennsylvania records for his age with his times in 5K and 10K races. In 1997 and 1999 he participated in the national Senior Olympics. They also enjoyed traveling in their Volkswagen camper. In the 1980’s they camped in the Florida Keys almost every fall and made several long trips in the US and Canada visiting most of the national parks.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mildred (Osborne) Klapproth in 2013 and his three brothers.
Bill is survived by his son, Tom Klapproth and wife, Cathy of Chichester; daughter, Sarah Monego and husband, Tom of East Thetford, VT; grandsons, Alex Klapproth of Chichester, Dan Monego of Somerville, MA and Jesse Monego of Attleboro, MA.
Calling hours will not be held
A graveside service with military honors will take place at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 10 DW Hwy Boscawen, NH, on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at 11am.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Concord Regional VNA, 30 Pillsbury St. Concord, NH 03301 or to Granite United Way, 125 Airport Rd. Concord, NH 03301.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Bennett Funeral Home of Concord. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.BennettFuneral.com for the family of William Klapproth Jr.
DONATIONS
Concord Regional Visiting Nurses Association30 Pillsbury Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301
Granite United Way 125 Airport Road , Concord, New Hampshire 03301
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18