Category: Obituary: K

The Rev. Mary M. Kapper died on November 25, 2011. She was 86 years old. Rev. Kapper was born in Brooklyn, NY on June 11, 1925 to Willard B. and Genevieve (Brady) Kapper. She graduated from St. Joseph’s College in 1947, and attained her Masters of Social Work from Case Western Reserve University in 1978. She received her Masters of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in 1988.

Rev. Kapper was ordained by the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists on May 14, 1989. She was called to serve the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Mankato and the Nora Unitarian Universalist Church in Hanska from 1990-1991. She was a community minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley from 1991-2001. She also served as a hospice chaplain for Pathways Hospice and Home Health in Oakland, CA. In 2002, Rev. Kapper became a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron and served as the church’s Social Justice Chair from 2006-2007.

Rev. Kapper was involved in many social causes, working tirelessly to promote the civil rights of women and minorities. She helped to establish Akron Women Against Rape in 1974.

Rev. Kapper is survived by her son, John Barry and his wife, Rosemary; her son, Tom Barry; her son, James Barry; her daughter, Mary Ann Seiberling; her son, Matthew Barry and his fiancé, Chris; her son, Daniel Barry; her daughter, Jeannine Marks and her husband, Steve; her daughter, Maureen Rocha and her husband, Rodrigo; ten grandchildren; and seven great- grandchildren.

Rev. Kapper was preceded in death by a son, Mark Barry; and a daughter, Claire Simpson.

Family and friends paid their respects to the memory of Rev. Kapper on November 30, 2011 at Fairlawn West United Church of Christ in Akron, OH. Donations in Rev. Kapper’s memory may be made to Summa Hospice and Pallative Care Center, Founda- tion Office, P.O. Box 2090, Akron, OH 44398-6453.

Charles Kahn-Schneider, 86, husband of the Rev. Joan K. Schneider died in early August, 2006. Charlie was a chemist who worked for Mead Paper Co. before changing careers to become a college science teacher. He followed Joan in her ministries, finding jobs where she went: Farmington, MI; UUA Director of Ministerial Education in Boston; Mentor, OH, Albany NY, and interims in NH, CT, TN, and SC. He leaves his wife and six children, Sandy Uhrig of CA; Carol Peindl of NC; Dave Friedman of CA; Jim Friedman of OH; Robin Guethlein of KY; and Jerri Menaul of FL.

Vera Kafka, 86, widow of the Rev. Hvezdon Kafka, died February 28, 2010. Born in Prague, she survived the Nazi occupation and emigrated to the US in 1945. The Kafkas embodied the American Dream, coming to this country with just their suitcases. With hard work and a frugal lifestyle they were able to put their sons through college. She managed the school lunch program in Stow, MA, and managed a women’s clothing store, ran the ladies section in a department store, and was once the nanny to the family of Dr. Edward Teller (father of the A-bomb). She deftly managed the responsibilities of being a mother, a minister’s wife, and a wage earner. She was an active member of the First Parish Church of Stow & Acton. After retiring she enjoyed traveling, golf, bridge, knitting, sewing and needlepoint. She is survived by her sons, Jason and Thomas Kafka, a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.

The Rev. Hvezdon “Don” Kafka, 86, died at his home in Marlborough, MA March 16, 2008. As a child, he attended the Rev. Norbert Capek’s church in Prague where Rev. Capek celebrated the first flower communion, a ritual now practiced widely throughout our denomination. Don was a scholar and a gifted pastor whose extraordinary life experience helped him to assist others through difficult times. The Rev. Tom Rosiello, who serves the Stow and Acton church, described him as a real inspiration, saying, “In spite of the many physical challenges Rev. Kafka faced over the last several years, he remained positive in spirit and strong in his faith and always offered words of support and encouragement to me for my ministry at the church.  It was an honor for me to learn from him and get to know him.”