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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Emil S.
Kapcar
September 3, 1921 – April 17, 2018
Obituary
Emil Stephen Kapcar
September 3, 1921 - April 17, 2018
Emil S. Kapcar was born to Andrew and Mary Kapcar in East Fredericktown, PA on September 3, 1921. He passed away peacefully at age 96 in Clermont, FL on April 17, 2018 following complications from a heart attack.
Emil is survived by his sister, Veronica Kapcar of Oakmont, PA; two daughters Diane Gilliam (husband Gene) of Dallas TX and Linda Graff of Canton, NC; two grandchildren Sean Graff (wife Leah) and three great granddaughters Ella, Audrey, and Alaina of Clyde, NC and Renee Wood and great granddaughter Diahna of Asheville, NC. Emil also had thirteen nieces and nephews.
Emil was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen Thomas, two sons Stephen Kapcar and Allen Kapcar; his parents Andrew and Mary Kapcar, two brothers Albert D. Kapcar MD, Andrew Kapcar MD and one sister Anna Mae Taylor.
Army Air Corps Captain Emil S. Kapcar served from 1943-1945 as a WWII B-24 "Liberator" Bomber Pilot attached to the 701st Bomb Squadrons, 445th Bomb Group (Heavy), 2nd Division, 8th Air Force based at Tibenham airfield in Great Britain. He survived 30 combat missions. Of particular note; on his first mission, 14 planes took off from Tibenham and his was the only one to return. Upon landing it was discovered his bomber has sustained 120 bullet holes in the fuselage. Emil said "Divine intervention brought me home." Emil was awarded many citations and awards including 2 Bronze Stars and The Distinguished Flying Cross and his Bomb Group was awarded the French Croix De Guerre with Palm and the Presidential Unit Citation.
When he returned to the US to begin training in the newer larger and faster B-29 for the Pacific theater he became President of the Base Instrument Board at Monthan Field, Tucson AZ training and certifying B-29 pilots. He was chosen to be one of the first two pilots to get checked out in the B-29 after the war.
In 1949 Emil earned a BS in Industrial Engineering from Penn State University. He worked for General Electric as a Sales Engineer in Youngstown, OH and a Manufacturers Representative for President Shop Materials Company in Bethel Park, PA. In 1966, Emil developed and owned Kapcar Sales Associates Inc. and Allegheny Crane Sales Company. After liquidating both corporations in 1991, he retired to Vero Beach.
Emil was an accomplished pilot who owned several airplanes and enjoyed flying long after the war was over.
He was a product of the "Greatest Generation." His great work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit and perseverance carried him through life. He valued and exhibited many wonderful character traits and taught his children to be self confident, conscientious, caring, have high integrity and always have a great sense of humor. He was never without a joke.
He loved to golf. He always said it was a sport that he could do into old-age; and he did as long as possible. He was a Senior Golf Tournament winner, Masters Volunteer and as he described himself, "a scratch golfer who shot his age on the golf course too many times to count."
Emil loved computers and taught others to become proficient via coaching for Senior Net. He also voraciously studied health and nutrition including diet, exercise and supplements and attributed his longevity to a healthy lifestyle.
He didn't show much emotion, but weathered the storms of WWII and losing a wife and two sons. He quietly helped many, such as his parents, siblings, wife and children; wanting no accolades.
Emil lived for a brief period of time in Dallas, TX before returning to Vero Beach. In 2013, Emil moved to Clermont, FL where he lived until his passing.
Special thanks to Emil's nephew, Mike Taylor of Clermont, FL, who has been most gracious in meeting all of Emil's needs for the past 5 years. Mike and his wife Colleen provided the loving care only family members can give.
Emil's sister, Vera, will miss her weekly Sunday phone calls to her big brother.
Emil's favorite saying: "Remember, I am a unique person---just like everyone else."
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Emil S. Kapcar, please visit our flower store.
Services
Committal Service
April
27
Florida National Cemetery
Starts at 1:30 pm
Emil S. Kapcar's Guestbook
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