Herbert Kephart

VAN WERT, Ohio - Herbert D. Kephart, 89, of Van Wert, died at 3:25 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2011, at Venice Regional Hospital, Venice, Fla.

He was born Oct. 29, 1921, in Elida, Ohio, to the late Minnie (Carr) Kephart and Ross Kephart. His wife, E. Louise (McGannon) Kephart, survives of Van Wert, Ohio. They were married Nov. 30, 1941 (they would have been married 70 years this year).

Other survivors include his children: Penny (Larry) Corell of Venice, Fla., and Stan (Sue) Kephart of Westchester, Ohio, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Max Kephart, and two sisters, Lois Major and Norene Metzger.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Van Wert. Herb was a straightforward businessman dedicated to his family, church, career, and community. He fully enjoyed a good laugh.

Over the years he occupied leadership positions at the First United Methodist Church, Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, and Rotary International. He was a member of the Masons, the Elks, Willow Bend Country Club and the American Legion.

Having a true passion for Rotary, Herb joined Van Wert Rotary in 1963 and was very close to achieving 50 years of perfect attendance. Affectionately known as "Mr. Rotary" in Van Wert, he was president of Van Wert Rotary in 1970-71 and in 1986-87 he served as District Governor. He is the only active Van Wert Rotarian ever to serve in that capacity since the Club was chartered in 1920. Herb is recognized as spearheading the Club's Student Scholarship Program and the Rotary Auctions, which have funded many worthwhile projects in the community of Van Wert. Herb is a "5 Stone" Paul Harris Fellow which is Rotary Internationals humanitarian program. Several years ago Herb received the Rotary International "Service Above Self Award". This is Rotary International's highest honor. Only six Rotarians from District 6600 have received this award and have been recognized as the best in the world.

Following graduation from Middlepoint High School, Herb attended Findlay College and in 1941 began his 45-year career with Central Insurance Companies retiring November 1, 1986. Serving in a number of marketing positions in 1962 he was named a Resident Vice President and in 1964 he became Vice President of Marketing. He was named Senior Vice President in 1980. During his tenure, he witnessed the company grow from assets of $9 million to over $250 million. At his retirement, the Chairman of the Board and President, F.W. "Bill" Purmort, Jr. stated the following: "During his many years of service, Herb has developed an extraordinary rapport and trust with agents and industry leaders. His energy and dedication to excellence has been an important factor in the companies growth. He is recognized as a true professional by all his colleagues, and we admire and appreciate the contributions he has made over the years here at Central."

During World War II, Herb served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations from 1942 - 1946.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28 at First United Methodist Church, Van Wert. The Revs. Paul Miller and Tom Wilson will officiate. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert. Military graveside services will be conducted by combined units of the Van Wert American Legion and VFW Posts. Calling hours are 2-6 p.m. Friday, May 27 at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert.

Preferred memorial is Van Wert Rotary Scholarship Fund.

The man affectionately called "Mr. Rotary" for his devotion to that club and its goals was far more than a club member or club leader. Herb Kephart, who passed away early Saturday morning in Venice, Florida at the age of 89, was a man who made an impact on the people around him -- those who considered him a friend, co-worker, boss, or fellow church member.

A man who, during his 45-year career, worked his way up in Central Insurance Company's marketing department. Central's Chairman of the Board and President, F.W. "Bill" Purmort, Jr. stated, "We have a value statement at our company that is basically three things: integrity, relationships and excellence. And I think Herb would have epitomized all three of those things."

Comments from Kephart's colleagues and friends on Tuesday had some common themes. Among those was his love of people.

"Herb and my dad grew up together in Middle Point, so I've had Herb Kephart all my adult life," remarked Gary Taylor. "Honestly after my dad passed away, Herb was a father figure to me. We had talked on the phone three weeks ago. He knew about this. He knew what he was facing. I can't praise the guy enough. He was actually my favorite person in Van Wert."

Bill Laukhuf added, "I had great respect and admiration for Herb. The year Herb was district governor for Rotary District 6600, I worked with him on planning for the annual district conference, and I came to appreciate his leadership. I'd just say he was a good friend."

Purmort continued, "He was a true gentleman and a person with whom it was always more than just business. He always wanted to get to know you on a personal level. He cared about you as an individual, not just a business partner or a means to an end. I've known him as long as I remember. As a little kid, he and his wife both were very good personal friends with my parents. He was really a great guy to be around."

Of course many of Kephart's relationships developed around Van Wert Rotary Club, where he joined in 1963.

"He brought in more members to Rotary than anyone in the history of the club," said Jon Rhoades.

Paul Hoverman remembered, "He had such a heart for Rotary and the mission of Rotary in giving to the community. He was known throughout our district and even further as 'Mr. Rotary.' Everywhere you'd go, you'd mention Van Wert Rotary and you'd be asked, 'How's Herb Kephart doing?'"

Kephart was present for nearly every club meeting, but when he was out of town he would attend a Rotary Club meeting in another city, sometimes checking a directory to find the local chapter.

He was 'Mr. Rotary,' there's no doubt about that," smiled Linda Stutz. "He was just a super guy and he'll surely be missed."

Another theme remembered by friends was Kephart's leadership abilities. At work or in volunteer service, he was always pushing forward. "He was the person who started the Van Wert Rotary Charity Auction, which he handed to me about ten years ago," Taylor noted. "He started an awful lot of things around the community."

"He was always pushing for the next level," shared Purmort. "He was somebody who was wanted to do big things, good things, and once he achieved that, he was looking at the next step. He was never really satisfied with the status quo. He really reflected what our company is all about."

Kephart's attention to detail was a hallmark. His sales staff were expected to look professional and being exceptionally prepared. Hoverman remembered, "He was like one of your old school teachers that was one of your tougher teachers. When you were going through at the time, you were thinking you can't wait to get away from this guy, but years later you look down the line and realize the guy had a lot going for him."

Rhoades worked with Kephart for many years at Central. "He made sure everything happened in his idea of the correct way. Sometimes to some people, he almost became an aggravation because he went into such detail, but he made sure it happened," he said. "And he would talk to people and listen to what you had to say. It was not 'his way or the highway.' But once the commitment was made, he was committed to get it done, and that's one thing even to his last days he was still thinking about the future and how things could be better."

The relationships Kephart maintained stretched far beyond Rotary Club or the local Central Mutual Insurance building. Taylor pointed out, "He really made it a point to see everybody. He was really active in First United Methodist Church and in the community. He is really going to be missed because he was so active."

Rhoades related, "He's been a dramatically good person when it comes to the church. He attended well, he was on a lot of committees. He was a great organizer... a detail man."

"Last summer I got to teach his Sunday School class and got to know him on a more personal basis," Hoverman stated. "I believe he understood what it was like to be a committed Christian. He always had a lot of good input, and he cared much about his church and his commitment to Christ and to his wife and family."

Retiring from Central in 1986, Kephart's retirement party was held in Chicago. Rhoades remembers 250-300 people who flew into town especially to congratulate Herb Kepart.

Purmort said, "We'll be putting things out in our publications that go out across the country, and there will be people from all the states we do business in, a lot of people who remember Herb Kephart and what he did for them and their agencies and their communities. He was a player."

Kephart is survived by his wife, Louise. The couple would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in November of this year. Their daughter Penny and her husband Larry Corell live in Venice, Florida while son Stan and his wife Sue Kephart reside in Westchester, Ohio. Kephart was blessed with six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Army in Europe from 1942-46.

Calling will be Friday from 2-6 p.m. at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory. The funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert.

"There is a lot to get to know about Herb. I grew to appreciate, respect and really like the guy a lot," related Hoverman.

"We was well-known and well-respected," Rhoades said. "Those people who are willing to commit to the level he did are few and far between."