Edward L. Kepner III, 79 years old passed away at Ft. Meade Veteran's Hospital on January 9th, 2022.

A memorial service will be 10:00am Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, with Rev. Brian Meadows officiating. Inurnment will follow 11:30am at the Black Hills National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers a memorial can be made in Ed's name to a Dementia unit near you.

Ed was born on April 11th, 1942, to Edward Jr and Marie (Emerton) Kepner in San Diego, CA at the beginning of the U.S. entry into WWII. He graduated from Mt Miguel H.S. in Spring Valley, CA. Although he had an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, his less than perfect vision kept him from his goal. He then entered in the Navy's Submarine School and was assigned to the USS Seadragon where he grew into the future career, qualifying in submarines in 1962 and was aboard during one of the early trips to the North Pole. His 20 plus years in the U.S. Navy included assignments on two other submarines, Navy schools and outside studies at the U. of New Mexico and Norwich University. The last 12 years of his Naval career was in Naval Intelligence where he earned many awards during 14 special operations during the Cold War. In the last two years, he was appointed the first enlisted Division Officer of the Fleet Support Arm of the command. He retired as a Navy Senior Chief. After his retirement from the Navy, he began a new career in the Auto business, mostly with Ford. He retired in 2008 after being sales and numerous management positions. His two careers allowed him to travel to many overseas countries and then permanent homes in San Diego, Key West, FL, Maine, New London, CT, and many years in Washington D.C. While in the Navy he married his 1st wife, Shirley and had a daughter Jennifer. The marriage ended when he retired. In 1992 he married the love of his life Peggy who followed his later career in Washington D.C., Prescott Valley AZ, and his final home in Rapid City, SD where they have resided since 2002, fulfilling a promise to return his wife Peggy to her hometown. He adopted Dave (Peggy's son) when he was 8 years old and later, they adopted Amber. He never thought of them as adopted just his own children. Since he retired, he worked P/T for the RC School District as a substitute teacher and at the Red Rock golf course as a mower, where he played, many rounds of his love for golf. He also was avid fisherman and a positive influence on the students he taught.

Ed is survived by his brother Rick (Darla) Kepner, wife Peggy M. Kepner, son Dave (Genevieve)Kepner, Amber (Rick Floersch) Kepner of Rapid City, daughter Jennifer (Doug) Fleschute of lee's Summit, MO and five grandchildren, Jaxx, Corben, Breanna, Aiden, and Audrey.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents and his 1st wife Shirley.