Roswell J. Kepler

Roswell J. Kepler Jr., Kingston, died Saturday afternoon, September 4, 2010, at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. He turned 100 years old on August 5, 2010. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was a son of the late Roswell Sr. and Anna J. Anderson Kepler. He grew up in Maplewood, N.J., and attended Princeton University. Roswell went to work for McGraw Hill Publishers but left to join the U.S. Army during World War II. He trained with the 10th Mountain Division and then was accepted into the OSS. He participated in operations in what is present-day Thailand. After the war, he returned to McGraw Hill as a science editor. Following retirement, he devoted himself to collecting and restoring 19th-century American art. He was a generous supporter of numerous Native American groups, the National Wildlife Federation and the Metropolitan Opera. Roswell was a resident of Wesley Village for the past five years. He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald A. Kepler, South Carolina. Surviving is a friend and loving caregiver, Carolyn Jenkes, Duryea; three nephews, Donald A. Kepler Jr., Clarks Summit; Steven M. Kepler and Christopher B. Kepler, both of Lynchburg, Va.; and a niece, Ann Alexander, also of Lynchburg, Va. The funeral service will be private at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, N.Y. Memorials may be made to the Jersey Animal Coalition, 298 Walton Ave., South Orange, NJ 07079.