Robert E. Kerper

Robert E. Kerper, Jr., 89, died May 31, 2013 in his Audubon residence.

Bob was born on February 22, 1924 in Reading to Robert E. Kerper and Helen Rourke Kerper. His father graduated from Penn State and was an executive with F.W. Woolworth for many years. Bob's mother attended Villa Maria Academy, near West Chester.

His grandfather, William J. Rourke, Esq. was a well known attorney in Reading and served as solicitor of the City of Reading for many years in the early 1900's.

Bob was predeceased by two wives, Regina Gruber Kerper and Arlene Hoffmann Kerper. In 1999 he married his college sweet-heart, Mary-Elizabeth Ciaffoni in St. John's Lutheran Church in Reading.

Bob was also predeceased by a brother, William J. Kerper, born in 1928 and died in 1987. A son Thomas R. Kerper, born in 1956, died in 1992.

Bob is survived by his wife of twelve years, Mary-Elizabeth and two daughters: Martha J. Kerper Linne of Stroudsburg, PA and Ellen M. Kerper Martin, wife of Dr. Ronald M. of Douglassville, PA and two sons: James E. Kerper, husband of Deborah J. of Leesport, PA and John G. Kerper, husband of Amy B. of Myerstown, PA. Also three grandchildren: Matthew R. Martin of King of Prussia, Dainelle M. Martin of West Chester, PA and Alex W. Linne of Stroudsburg, PA. Also surviving are two sons of his wife, Mary-Elizabeth, Mark C. Walters, Esq., husband of Meredith M. of Germantown, MD and David L. Walters, husband of Wendy S. Tinker of Fort Collins, CO and twelve step-grandchildren: Caitlyn K. Walters and Matthew M. Walters, both of Germantown, MD; Jeffrey S. Auman of San Diego, CA; Ian M. Auman of Charleston, SC; Dwight D. Hoffman of Sinking Spring, PA; Abigail E. Dundore and Macey G. Dundore, both of Meyerstown, PA; Shelby B. Werner, Chelsea A. Werner and Taryn M. Werner all of Fort Collins, Co; David D. Hoffman of Sinking Spring, PA and Lisa Holcomb of West Reading, PA. Also surviving is one great-grandchild, Elleana B. Martin of King of Prussia. Bob attended schools in West Reading and graduated from West Reading High School. Representing West Reading High School he was Pennsylvania State PIAA swimming champion in the 100 yard backstroke in 1941 and 1942. He then attended the Mercersburg Academy on a swimming scholarship, graduating in 1943. At Mercersburg, he won the National Prep School championship in the 100 yard backstroke and was named an All-American. After graduating, Bob and his best friend, John Gilbert, entered the U.S. Navy in 1943. Bob served as a physical training officer.

After his discharge from the Navy in 1946, Bob attended West Chester University, graduating in 1950 with honors. In 1986 Bob was selected by the University as a "Distinguished Alumni" and in 2002 elected a member of the University's Athletic Hall of Fame. While at West Chester, Bob won four intercollegiate swim championships in the backstroke and individual medley. He also won the State Two Mile track championship for two years and set many records in cross country running at various colleges. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Berks Chapter and is a member of the Berks Aquatics Hall of Fame.

During the summers in high school, prep school and college, Bob served as life guard, swim coach and swimming teacher. He taught hundreds of boys and girls to swim and taught junior and senior life saving at the West Reading pool.

In 1958, Bob was elected to a four year term on the West Reading Borough Council but had to resign because of moving to Wyomissing.

During the 1940's and 50's, Bob planned, organized and directed the Water Pageants at the West Reading pool. Held at the end of each summer, they were the largest and most successful shows in Berks County and surrounding areas.

In 1952, Bob organized and directed the "River-cade" water shows for five years on the Schuylkill River above Felix Dam. For eight years, Bob organized and managed Reading's largest summertime event, "Scenic River Days", held in River Front Park in Reading. This event drew up to 100 thousand people over a five day period. For three years, 1996-1998, Bob served as general manager of the Kutztown Folk Festival which was recognized as on of the "Top 100 Events in North America".

After a teaching and coaching position with the Mercersburg Academy, Bob began a 40 year career in business and industry holding management positions in industrial relations and personnel, advertising, public relations and sales promotion.

In 1955, Bob was named "The Outstanding Young Man" in Berks County and "One of the Four Outstanding Young Men in Pennsylvania".

Bob served as President of the YMCA of Reading and Berks for four years and as a member of the National YMCA board of directors for six years.

Bob retired from a fortune Three Hundred Company, The Cabot corporation, after 28 years of service.

Bob's wife, Mary-Elizabeth now resides in a large retirement community near Valley Forge, Shannondell at Valley Forge.

Still competing in swimming at the age of 83, Bob had been ranked in the top ten swimmers in his age group in the United States. In 2005, he was ranked number four in the Backstroke in the USA.

Bob Kerper was the author of three books. One of his books on aquatics called "Splash" won the top international award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

In 2010 Bob was named to the advisory board of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and chairman of its public relations committee.

Services will be Monday, June 10, 2013 at 12 p.m. in the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. A viewing will be held 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township. Contributions may be made to made to the YMCA, P.O. Box 1622 631 Washington St., Reading, PA 19603. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.