Don Leroy Kepler, 92, of Jupiter Florida, passed away on March 18th, 2023, in the loving care of Trustbridge Hospice of Palm Beach County. He was born in Massillon Ohio on September 2, 1932; son of the late Dorene (Daily) and Harold Kepler.

While in high school, Don received many accolades in swimming including a swimming scholarship to Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Ohio. He was called to service in the United States Marine Corps where he served in the Korean War. After, he returned to BGSU where he competed in both collegiate swimming and golf. At graduation, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He was also a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. In 1957, he was named an Accomplished Swimming and Diving Alumnus and in 1972, he was inducted into the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame for both Men’s Golf and Men’s Swimming.

“Hating the cold Ohio winters,” Don came to Florida and found employment teaching at Palm Beach High School in West Palm Beach and later Howell L. Watkins Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens.

Those who knew Don understood that golfing was his life’s passion, and he was involved in the sport his whole life. He was employed by several local golf courses including North Palm Beach Country Club, Palm Beach Gardens Municipal Golf Course and Jonathan’s Landing Old Trail Course. He was actively involved in the Palm Beach County Junior Golf Association where he mentored youth in the game of golf. In the 1970s he opened Kepler’s Clubs and was one of best golf club repairmen in Palm Beach County. If Don was not working, he was golfing with friends, fishing and playing cards.

Don is survived by his son, Timothy J. Kepler (Michelle) of Loxahatchee, Florida; stepdaughters, Jayne Bergstrom (Douglas) of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, Lea Rice (Timothy) of San Marcos, Texas and Noreen Hoagland of Okeechobee, Florida; five grandchildren, Zachary Kepler, Kalee Kepler, Jason White, Meaghan Bergstrom-Rearick (Nicholas) and Kimberly Palmer (James) and three great-children, Chase Bergstrom, Tyler Palmer and Riley Palmer.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Kepler; sisters, Margaret Parks and Kate Crawford and brothers, Duane Kepler and Gene Daily.

No funeral or memorial service will be held. Those wishing to honor his life can make a donation in his name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research In Tribute | Parkinson’s Disease (michaeljfox.org) or The Lewy Body Dementia Association Honor Your Loved One | Lewy Body Dementia Association (lbda.org).

This article originally appeared on Dignity Memorial Obituary Don Leroy Kepler September 3, 1931 – March 18, 2023