Obituary of Major General Ret. Norbert J. Rappl

A lifetime resident of Irondequoit, NY who exemplified what it means to be a pillar of the community, a man of faith, and a man with love for his God, family, and country. Age 91. Survived by his loving friend and wife of 69 years, Bernice, children, Carolyn (Edmund) Maier, Laurie (Allan Christensen), Lois (James) Morales, Gail and Gary, grandchildren, Dustin, Kyle and Karl Morales, and sister Katherine, RSM. Predeceased by parents, George and Mary Rappl and sister, Marion, RSM.

Norbert graduated from Aquinas Institute in 1948 and from St. Bonaventure University in 1952 where he was commissioned in the U.S. Army. A veteran of the Korean War, he joined the US Army Reserve upon being released from active duty in 1954, graduated from the Army War College in 1976 and rose to the rank of Major General, commanding the 98th Division, the pinnacle of a 35 yr military career. A founding member of Christ the King Church he served as Parish Council President and Trustee. A man of great faith he held almost every lay position in Christ the King and St. Kateri Parishes at one time or another and was a daily communicant for many years. He was a charter member and Past President of Irondequoit Rotary. He was President of concrete block manufacturing and building material supply firms Rappl & Hoenig Co., Inc. and Comac Builders Supply Corp. and served as Chairman of the Board of the National Concrete Masonry Association, the New York State Concrete Masonry Association, and the Builders Exchange of Rochester. He was a member of the Rochester Yacht Club, Irondequoit Post 134 of the American Legion, the Korean War Veterans Association, Reserve Officers Association, the Association of the United States Army, the Military Officers Association of America, past President of the Department of New York Reserve Officers Association and a U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador.

Honors include St. Bonaventure University Hall of Fame, Aquinas Institute Hall of Fame, Honorary Member and Hall of Fame of the National Concrete Masonry Association. Lifetime Achievement Award of the Builders Exchange of Rochester, Department of Defense ESGR Lifetime Achievement Award, Lifespan Eli Rudin Second Half Achievement Award, Lifetime Achievement Award of the New York State Concrete Masonry Association, a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and member of the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. He was written into the Congressional Record in 1987 by Congressman Frank Horton. After retirement he continued community service through membership and leadership positions on several boards including the Fair Business Council, the Red Cross and Better Business Bureau of New York.

His family will receive friends Wednesday, March 23, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Funeral Home (570 Kings Highway So.). Friends are invited to meet the family Thursday, March 24, 10:00 am at St. Kateri at Christ the King Church for his Funeral Mass. Full Military Honors and Interment will take place in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Kateri for Masses to be said in Norbert's name, 445 Kings Hwy S. 14617 or to your own parish.

Military Service Information

Rank, Status, Service Component:  Major General, Retired, USAR

 

History of Military Assignments

           Field Artillery School, 1952-1953

           1^st Field Artillery Observation Battalion, Korea 1953-1954

           923^rd Field Artillery Battalion, 1954-1960

           98^th Division Staff, 1960-1966

           Commander, 2^nd Battalion, 391^st Regiment, 1966-1968

           Commander, Support Battalion, 1968-1969

           AC/S G3, 98^th Division, 1969-1970

           Chief of Staff, 98^th Division, 1970-1972

           Commander, 4^th Brigade, 1972-1975

           Assistant Division Commander, 98^th Division, 1975-1979

           Deputy Division Commander, 98^th Division, 1979-1982

           Commander, 98^th Division, 1982-1987

          

Military Education

           Field Artillery Basic Officer Course, Ft. Sill

           Field Artillery Observation Unit Officer Course, Ft. Sill

           Field Artillery Advance Course, Ft. Sill

           Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth

           Defense Strategy Seminar, Ft. McNair

           Army War College, Carlisle Barracks

           Executive Program in National and International Security, Harvard University

           Senior Reserve Commanders Course, Carlisle Barracks

 

Awards/Decorations

           Distinguished Service Medal

           Meritorious Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster

           Army Commendation Medal

           National Defense Service Medal

           United Nations Service Medal

           Korean Service Medal

           Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/2 hour glass devices

           Armed Forces Reserve Components Achievement Medal w/7oak leaf Clusters

           Army Service Ribbon

           New York State Conspicuous Service Cross

           Order of St. Barbara

           98^th Division Band designated “Rappl’s Own” by Department of Heraldry

           Honorary Regimental Colonel, 391^st Regiment

           Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Aide-de-Camp, Alabama State Militia

          

Civilian Information

Record of Civilian Employment and Accomplishments

           Retired President, Rappl & Hoenig Co., Inc., Rochester, NY

           Retired President, Comac Builders Supply Corp., Rochester, NY

           Managing Partner, Ridge Goodman Associates, Rochester, NY

           Former Chairman of the Board, Executive Committee and Board of

                     Directors, National Concrete Masonry Association

           Past President and Board of Directors, New York State Concrete

                     Masonry Association

           Former Chairman of the Board and Board of Governors, Builders Exchange

 

Civilian Education

           Aquinas Institute, Rochester, NY

           St. Bonaventure University, BBA

 

Community Service

           Board of Directors, American Red Cross

           Former Chairman of the Board, Fair Business Council of Rochester

           Board of Directors and Secretary, Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York

           Board of Directors, Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce

           New York State Committee, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve,

                     State Ombudsman

           Army Reserve Ambassador (New York)

          

Organizations/Clubs/Philanthropic Groups

           Founding Member and Past President, Rotary Club of Irondequoit

           Past President, Rochester Toastmasters Club

           Rochester Home Builders Association

           Delta Sigma Pi

           Former Member, Rochester Diocesan Pastoral Council

           Founding member, Christ the King Church

           Past Chair, Parish Council, Christ the King Church

           Senior Lector and Server, Christ the King Church

           Trustee, Christ the King Church

           Private Industry Council of Monroe County

           Reserve Officers Association of the United States

           Past President, Department of New York, Reserve Officers Association

           Senior Army Reserve Commanders Association

           Association of the United States Army

           Military Officers of America Association

           Rochester Business Alliance

           Finance Committee, Irondequoit Pastoral Planning Group

           American Legion

 

Civilian Honors

           Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International

           Honorary Member, National Concrete Masonry Association

           St. Bonaventure University ROTC Hall of Fame

           Aquinas Distinguished Career Hall of Fame

           Lifetime Achievement Award, The Builders Exchange

           Lifetime Achievement Award, New York State Concrete Masonry Association

           Treasurer for Life, New York State Concrete Masonry Association

           Lifespan Eli Rudin Second Half Achievement Award

           Lifetime Achievement Award, National Concrete Masonry Association

          

Other places you might have seen Norbert:

           Welcomed every Honor Flight since 2008

           Distinguished military representative in Memorial Day and 4^th of July parades

           Die-hard fan of Aquinas, St. Bonaventure, and Buffalo Bills sports teams

           Gilda’s Club

           Oasis Adult Learning classes

           Walked 5 miles a day for decades around Irondequoit

 

Gone from our touch but never our hearts. 

                  All our love always,

                          Bernice

        Carolyn, Laurie, Lois, Gail, Gary

                  Dustin, Kyle, Karl

                        Katherine