Augustine J. Kappes, Jr.

Augustine “Gus” J. Kappes, Jr., 79 years, formerly of Catasauqua, died Sunday December 30th, 2018 in Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. He was the husband of Roseann (Konye) Kappes whom he met in July of 1957 and celebrated 56 years of marriage this past April. Born in Catasauqua, he was a son of the late Augustine J. Sr. and Angela Mary (Heigl) Kappes.

First and foremost, he was very proud of his grandsons and was an extremely loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.

Gus was an Art and Design teacher in the Easton Area School District for 39 years before his retirement. During his career he was awarded the Outstanding Educators of America award. His love for NASA and space exploration led him to become a finalist for the NASA Teacher in Space Program. This was the same program that sent Christa MacAuliffe and 6 others into space that led to their tragic deaths on the Space Shuttle Challenger. He was an avid reader and a very cerebral, intelligent, caring man.

Surviving along with his wife Roseann is his son

Mark D. Kappes and wife Lisa; sister Barbara Kappes Bartholomew; and grandsons Jacob “Jake” Kappes and Luke Kappes. He was preceded in death by his younger brother James D. Kappes. Mark, being his only child developed many very close bonded relationships in lieu of actual siblings. Thus, Gus had many “adopted” sons an daughters that were the closest to blood relatives that were his son Mark’s unofficial siblings and best friends growing up. He treated them all/ loved them all like his kids. Mike MacLaughlin, Frank and Francine Schlofer and Michael Muschko were around him all of his life and will speak with Mark and his sons at his services. The family requests that donations (in his name) in lieu of flowers be sent to: The Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, 3360 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410, C/O the ICU, the CVICU, and the 3 WEST Cardiac Care Unit. The Brubaker Funeral Home, 234 Walnut Street, Catasauqua 18032 was entrusted with Augustine’s arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brubakerfuneralhome.com.

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