Obituary for Roger T. Schappell
Roger Theodore Schappell, Sr., 84, of Littleton, Colorado, passed away on July 7, 2021, in Collier Hospice Center at Lutheran Medical Center, Wheat Ridge, CO. He was the husband of Margaret Ann "Margo" (Raes) Schappell. They were married on April 27, 1962 and celebrated fifty-nine years of marriage.
Born in Windsor Township, Berks Co., PA, he was the son of the late Jacob and Esther (Graham) Schappell. Roger was a 1955 graduate of Hamburg High School. He was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a Pilot from 1955-1957. He was a member of the 148 fighter squadron association. He then graduated in 1961 from Pennsylvania Military College, receiving a degree in electrical engineering. Over the years, Roger worked for Bendix, Martin Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, SARCOS, Computer Technology Associates, and Science Application International Corporation. He was also president and CEO of Schappell Automation Corporation since 1986. His accomplishments were Advanced Automation Pioneer, Feature Identification and Location Experiment (FILE) on shuttle flights 2nd and 7th, and Autonomous Land Vehicle (ALV). He loved the adventure of being a visionary before it was popular and had the habit of making waves when he had a new idea. He loved doing anything wholeheartedly that he was passionate about.
Surviving in addition to his wife are his children: Roger "Ted" Schappell, Jr., (Debra); Bryan Schappell (Angela); and Kimberly (Schappell) Spomer (Ronald Leroy); grandchildren: Cameron Schappell (Alaina); Rachel (Schappell) Kvidera (Samuel); Garrett Schappell; Chaz Schappell; Hayden Schappell (Katelynn); Colton Spomer; and Duston Spomer; step-grandchildren: Kyra Zuhlke and Zane Zuhlke; and great-grandchildren: Harmony Rebel; Janie Schappell; Talmage Schappell; Brooks Kvidera; and Sawyer Schappell. Roger is also survived by 7 nieces and nephews, including Kathy (Schappell) Ballick and Joanne (Saylor) Bailey, and his cousin: Franklin George Schappell. He was predeceased by a brother: Richard "Speedy" Schappell; sister: Evelyn "Dot" (Schappell) Saylor; niece: Colleen Schappell; and nephew Dean Schappell.
A memorial and celebration of Roger's life will be on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at 11:00 am at Deer Creek Church in Colorado. Refreshments will follow. His graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at 11:00 am in St. John's Cemetery, Hamburg, PA. A luncheon will follow at the home of his niece, Joanne and Dennis Bailey, 23 Gilmore Road, Kutztown, PA 19530. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Collier Hospice Center. Those wishing to make a gift can do so, in his name, online at supportlutheran.org; send a check to: Lutheran Medical Center Foundation, c/o Kathie Repola, Executive Director, 8300 W. 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033; or call 303-467-4800 with a credit card. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., Hamburg is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com.
Born in Windsor Township, Berks Co., PA, he was the son of the late Jacob and Esther (Graham) Schappell. Roger was a 1955 graduate of Hamburg High School. He was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a Pilot from 1955-1957. He was a member of the 148 fighter squadron association. He then graduated in 1961 from Pennsylvania Military College, receiving a degree in electrical engineering. Over the years, Roger worked for Bendix, Martin Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, SARCOS, Computer Technology Associates, and Science Application International Corporation. He was also president and CEO of Schappell Automation Corporation since 1986. His accomplishments were Advanced Automation Pioneer, Feature Identification and Location Experiment (FILE) on shuttle flights 2nd and 7th, and Autonomous Land Vehicle (ALV). He loved the adventure of being a visionary before it was popular and had the habit of making waves when he had a new idea. He loved doing anything wholeheartedly that he was passionate about.
Surviving in addition to his wife are his children: Roger "Ted" Schappell, Jr., (Debra); Bryan Schappell (Angela); and Kimberly (Schappell) Spomer (Ronald Leroy); grandchildren: Cameron Schappell (Alaina); Rachel (Schappell) Kvidera (Samuel); Garrett Schappell; Chaz Schappell; Hayden Schappell (Katelynn); Colton Spomer; and Duston Spomer; step-grandchildren: Kyra Zuhlke and Zane Zuhlke; and great-grandchildren: Harmony Rebel; Janie Schappell; Talmage Schappell; Brooks Kvidera; and Sawyer Schappell. Roger is also survived by 7 nieces and nephews, including Kathy (Schappell) Ballick and Joanne (Saylor) Bailey, and his cousin: Franklin George Schappell. He was predeceased by a brother: Richard "Speedy" Schappell; sister: Evelyn "Dot" (Schappell) Saylor; niece: Colleen Schappell; and nephew Dean Schappell.
A memorial and celebration of Roger's life will be on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at 11:00 am at Deer Creek Church in Colorado. Refreshments will follow. His graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at 11:00 am in St. John's Cemetery, Hamburg, PA. A luncheon will follow at the home of his niece, Joanne and Dennis Bailey, 23 Gilmore Road, Kutztown, PA 19530. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Collier Hospice Center. Those wishing to make a gift can do so, in his name, online at supportlutheran.org; send a check to: Lutheran Medical Center Foundation, c/o Kathie Repola, Executive Director, 8300 W. 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033; or call 303-467-4800 with a credit card. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., Hamburg is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com.