Obituary for
Robert L. Riepel
Robert Louis Riepel, 80, died Friday, September 28, 2012, at his home in Ignacio, Colo. A visitation will occur at Hood Mortuary Chapel from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 2, 2012. A graveside service will take place at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, October 6, 2012, at the Mike Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake, Ariz.
Mr. Riepel was born December 6, 1931, in Syracuse, N.Y., the son of Herman and Florence Hartung Riepel. He grew up on the family farm enjoying farm life, the orchards and animals and driving machinery. He spent his summers at the family cottage on Onieda Lake. He graduated from East Syracuse High in 1950 and started school at the University of Buffalo to study pharmacy. After a year, he was drafted into the Army to fight in the Korean War. After four years he received an honorable discharge and went back to the University of Buffalo to become a pharmacist. During this time, he met and married Dawn Schlect. He worked for a pharmacy in the area and they had a son they named Rob. In the late 1950's, he decided to move to Chandler, Ariz., and work as a pharmacist. This is where his second son, Brent, was born. He then moved to Snowflake, Ariz., and established his own drugstore and called it “Snowflake Drug.” He enjoyed helping people and was often called, “Dr. Bob.” Snowflake Drug was a great success.
In 1985, he retired from pharmacy, sold his store, and was divorced. He later moved to Arboles, Colo. In Arboles, he started a small sawmill named Pride Lumber. He enjoyed working with wood, being in the woods and having the freedom to do whatever he wanted to do. He loved helping customers and being in business. In 1993, he married Brenda Smithson and together they have four children: Ann, Tyler, Jaylene and John. He enjoyed his children and spent many happy hours working and playing with them.
He is survived by Brenda Riepel (spouse) of Ignacio, Ann Riepel (daughter) of Durango, Colo., Tyler Riepel (son), Jaylene Riepel (daughter), and John Riepel (son), all of Ignacio, Colo.; Rob Riepel (son) of Sunnyvale, Calif., Brent and Gaylene Riepel (son and daughter-in-law) of Snowflake, three grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Florence Riepel; his brother Herman Riepel, Jr., and his sister Agnes Riepel Gallagher.