During the 34 years he taught in Parma, Donald J. Reppa was always willing to take phone calls at home to answer questions from his junior high school and high school students. He stayed in touch with former students scattered around the world. It was not unusual for him to get a letter thanking him for making an important difference in the life of the writer. One such letter said: "You taught us to think and to challenge both ourselves and others. You introduced a group of lower middle-class students to the magnificence of writing and literature."
Mr. Reppa, who had suffered an aneurysm, died Monday at Lakewood Hospital. He was 61. He was born in Lakewood. He graduated from Lakewood High School and earned a bachelor's degree at Ohio University. He earned a master's degree from John Carroll University and a certificate in counseling from Kent State University.
Mr. Reppa taught advanced English and British literature. He studied literature at the University of Southampton in England. Mr. Reppa retired from Normandy High School in 1992. He had also been assigned to Shiloh, Hillside and Greenbrier junior high schools.
Mr. Reppa traveled extensively across the world. He sometimes visited former students in other countries. One trip Mr. Reppa had planned, but could not fulfill because of illness, was to visit a former student in China. "His main interest was his students. He wanted everybody to be better than they thought they could be," said a sister, Dorothy Hegeduss of Olmsted Falls.
Mr. Reppa enjoyed collecting autographed books. He lived in North Royalton.
Mr. Reppa is also survived by brothers, William of Parma and David of Cleveland; and another sister, Mildred Kraus of Cincinnati.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Chambers Funeral Home, 4420 Rocky River Dr., Cleveland.
Mr. Reppa, who had suffered an aneurysm, died Monday at Lakewood Hospital. He was 61. He was born in Lakewood. He graduated from Lakewood High School and earned a bachelor's degree at Ohio University. He earned a master's degree from John Carroll University and a certificate in counseling from Kent State University.
Mr. Reppa taught advanced English and British literature. He studied literature at the University of Southampton in England. Mr. Reppa retired from Normandy High School in 1992. He had also been assigned to Shiloh, Hillside and Greenbrier junior high schools.
Mr. Reppa traveled extensively across the world. He sometimes visited former students in other countries. One trip Mr. Reppa had planned, but could not fulfill because of illness, was to visit a former student in China. "His main interest was his students. He wanted everybody to be better than they thought they could be," said a sister, Dorothy Hegeduss of Olmsted Falls.
Mr. Reppa enjoyed collecting autographed books. He lived in North Royalton.
Mr. Reppa is also survived by brothers, William of Parma and David of Cleveland; and another sister, Mildred Kraus of Cincinnati.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Chambers Funeral Home, 4420 Rocky River Dr., Cleveland.
During the 34 years he taught in Parma, Donald J. Reppa was always willing to take phone calls at home to answer questions from his junior high school and high school students. He stayed in touch with former students scattered around the world. It was not unusual for him to get a letter thanking him for making an important difference in the life of the writer. One such letter said: "You taught us to think and to challenge both ourselves and others. You introduced a group of lower middle-class students to the magnificence of writing and literature."
Mr. Reppa, who had suffered an aneurysm, died Monday at Lakewood Hospital. He was 61. He was born in Lakewood. He graduated from Lakewood High School and earned a bachelor's degree at Ohio University. He earned a master's degree from John Carroll University and a certificate in counseling from Kent State University.
Mr. Reppa taught advanced English and British literature. He studied literature at the University of Southampton in England. Mr. Reppa retired from Normandy High School in 1992. He had also been assigned to Shiloh, Hillside and Greenbrier junior high schools.
Mr. Reppa traveled extensively across the world. He sometimes visited former students in other countries. One trip Mr. Reppa had planned, but could not fulfill because of illness, was to visit a former student in China. "His main interest was his students. He wanted everybody to be better than they thought they could be," said a sister, Dorothy Hegeduss of Olmsted Falls.
Mr. Reppa enjoyed collecting autographed books. He lived in North Royalton.
Mr. Reppa is also survived by brothers, William of Parma and David of Cleveland; and another sister, Mildred Kraus of Cincinnati.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Chambers Funeral Home, 4420 Rocky River Dr., Cleveland.
Mr. Reppa, who had suffered an aneurysm, died Monday at Lakewood Hospital. He was 61. He was born in Lakewood. He graduated from Lakewood High School and earned a bachelor's degree at Ohio University. He earned a master's degree from John Carroll University and a certificate in counseling from Kent State University.
Mr. Reppa taught advanced English and British literature. He studied literature at the University of Southampton in England. Mr. Reppa retired from Normandy High School in 1992. He had also been assigned to Shiloh, Hillside and Greenbrier junior high schools.
Mr. Reppa traveled extensively across the world. He sometimes visited former students in other countries. One trip Mr. Reppa had planned, but could not fulfill because of illness, was to visit a former student in China. "His main interest was his students. He wanted everybody to be better than they thought they could be," said a sister, Dorothy Hegeduss of Olmsted Falls.
Mr. Reppa enjoyed collecting autographed books. He lived in North Royalton.
Mr. Reppa is also survived by brothers, William of Parma and David of Cleveland; and another sister, Mildred Kraus of Cincinnati.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Chambers Funeral Home, 4420 Rocky River Dr., Cleveland.
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