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GEPHART, KENNARD W. (COL. USAF - RET.) passed away quietly with his family at his side on February 8, 2013, one month short of his 102nd birthday. Born March 4, 1911, to Jesse C. and Ella May (Overmyer) Gephart in Ballville Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, he graduated high school in Fremont, Ohio, in 1929. He began his military career with the Ohio National Guard, serving from 1930 to 1936 in 1930 in artillery (and the cavalry). He was commissioned on November 11, 1932, while serving in enlisted status with the National Guard. In November 1939 he married the "loveliest girl I have ever seen," Elizabeth Henrietta Staver, of neighboring Clyde, Ohio. He was ordered to extended active duty in 1940, and he served with the 37th and 38th Infantry Divisions and as Inspector General for the Fifth Air Force, including overseas tours in the Pacific Theater and Alaska. He retired from active duty in November 1962 as Comptroller of the Kirtland AFB Special Weapons Center, and returned to work as there as a civilian program analyst until 1974. During his long and honorable military service Col. Gephart earned the Legion of Merit; Air Force Commendation Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 5 Bronze Stars; World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal (Japan); National Defense Service Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Presidential Unit Citation. While stationed at Kirtland, he was a member of the chartering board of directors of the Kirtland Federal Credit Union. A charter member of the Air Force Association, following retirement he was an active member of the Reserve Officers Association, the Military Order of World Wars, and MOAA. Active in the Boy Scouts of America from his childhood, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1929, and continued in leadership positions with local councils and roundtables, was a member of the Order of the Arrow, and recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. An active member of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, he taught adult Sunday School (The Salty Christians), as well as serving in leadership positions in congregation, the Presbytery of Santa Fe, and Synod of the Southwest, and on various boards and committees of the local and national church. An active member of the community as well, he was on the initial board of directors for Encino House and Encino House East and a board member of the Albuquerque Tutoring Council (as well as an active tutor). He was a member of local and national groups of Masons, Scottish Rite, Sojourners, and Heroes of '76, as well as the American Legion and Shriners. He loved children and dogs (especially the family's Kerry Blue Terriers over the years) and was an avid birdwatcher. A life-long learner, he was an avid reader, enjoyed continuing education classes on a wide variety of subjects, and loved music, particularly opera. Col. Gephart is survived by his daughter, Suzanne, and her husband James Dressler, numerous nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty, in 2010, and his siblings, Iva Fitzgerald, Edna Nabors, Wilbur Gephart, Howard Gephart, Mary Crosskill, and Olive Ebright. The family expresses its heartfelt thanks for the community of care and support from residents and staff at Manzano del Sol and Hospice of New Mexico. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for March 2, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 114 Carlisle SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, with interment at a later date at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Animal Humane New Mexico, 615 Virginia St. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
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