Richard G. Trepp

Richard Goodman Trepp died on Sunday, October 16, 2016 after progressively declining recent health. He was 98 years old, a remarkable man with an indelible legacy. Dick Trepp was a gifted Renaissance man, born in East Orange, NJ on June 17, 1918 into an exceptional family, the second child of Sam and Blanche Goodman Trepp. His older sister, Jean Trepp McKelvey, was the co-founder of the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She is commemorated on the honors wall at the University Library. His maternal uncle, Edwin Goodman, apprenticed to Herman Bergdorf, a woman’s tailor with a shop near 5th Avenue in New York City. Mr. Goodman became a partner, then bought out Mr. Bergdorf but kept his name. His son, Andrew Goodman, Dick’s cousin, expanded its stature as one of Fifth Avenue’s most elegant and lucrative fashion stores. By 1969 Bergdorf Goodman was the nation’s only large high quality specialty store that remained independently owned. Dick earned a degree in Chemical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He served as Capt. in the US Army Signal Corps for three years in the Pacific theater during World War II, then remained in the Army Reserves until 1959. He met and married Wilma Dexter in 1943 during the War. After the war he worked for some 40 years as a Customer Service Specialist with Monsanto. He began in Dayton, OH, then transferred to Springfield where he remained until his retirement. His inquisitive mind fueled his many talents, which sustained an independent, productive life until his death. He personally restored their historic Wilbraham home into a show piece. Wilma’s renown as a gardener and Yellow Cat Tavern Antiques that acquired and sold dolls and antiques were collaborations. Dick repaired blinking doll’s eyes, broken furniture, collected clocks and repaired their movements. Their devoted partnership ended after 66 years with Wilma’s death in 2010. Dick continued to live in their Longmeadow home. The house was meticulous. He shopped, drove his car, consumed the newspaper, repaired clocks, attended concerts, baseball games, and just kept going. He was genteel, solicitous, engaging, appreciative, ever generous with his talents and appreciative of other’s. His independence, motivations and lifestyle suffered as his health declined rapidly. He disliked assisted living, being dependent on a wheel chair, and living on a schedule that depended on others. He said, “Sometimes we live too long. I’d love to go home with Wilma”. On Sunday past, Dick Trepp left, and went home with Wilma. Good bye, dear friend. Dick Trepp was predeceased by his wife, Wilma. He is survived by his son, Stephen Dexter Trepp, of Springfield, MA; his grand daughter, Amber Vignault, and great-grandson, Liam Vignault, of Ludlow, MA. Committal services with full military honors will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 10am at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Agawam, MA. Commemorative donations may be sent to the American Clock & Watch Museum, 100 Maple Street, Bristol, CT 06010-5092. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. For further information visit www.nefcc.com

Richard G. Trepp

June 17, 1918 - October 16, 2016