Roy B. Keppy

Roy B. Keppy, 82, a resident of Eldridge, Iowa died Saturday, May 21, 2005 at Oakwood Assisted Living, Ridgecrest Village in Davenport, Iowa where he had resided the past two years.
Funeral services will be held at 11AM Tuesday, May 24th at Faith Lutheran Church, Eldridge where he was a charter member. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M Monday, May 23rd at the church and one hour before services Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the Mississippi Valley Fair, 4-H, Faith Lutheran Church, the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation or to your favorite charity. Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge is assisting the family with arrangements.
Roy was born March 7, 1923 in Sheridan Township, Iowa, the son of Henry and Anna Margaretha (Danielsen) Keppy Sr. On January 23, 1946, he married Myrtle Adell Eckermann at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Davenport.
Roy was a life-long farmer in Scott County. He cared for baby pigs, calves and young seedlings all of his life. His success was to see all he cared for mature into the most valuable product possible. Roy’s goal was to improve the image of agriculture for the next generation and give the consumer what they wanted. He studied, learned and then taught how to crossbreed hogs to make them leaner. He whole-heartedly embarked on a long journey through years of change in pork production. His was an example sought after and followed by many. Farmers, diplomats and politicians visited his farm and he traveled extensively judging hog shows and sharing his expertise.
In addition, he served on agricultural boards and committees, bank boards of directors and co-op boards as well. He worked with youth and college-age individuals, enjoyed providing school tours of the farm and participated in numerous swine shows. He served as a judge for many years and raised and showed hogs at a multitude of agricultural events.
In addition to the church, he was a charter member of: North Scott Rotary Club, a charter member of the North Scott Athletic Boosters and a charter member of the Brokers National Life Assurance. He also served on the following boards; Eldridge Cooperative Elevator, Mississippi Valley Fair Underwriters, Scott County Pork Producers, Iowa Pork Producers, National Pork Producers, National Livestock and Meat Board, Central Trust and Savings Bank, and ISU Extension Service. He was actively involved in the Scott County Farm Bureau, the Knights of Pythians, the Izaak Walton League, was campaign manager for Rep. Jim Leach, the Farmers for President Ford, 4-H, where he was a life-time member, and FFA where he was also a life-time member. In addition he was an honorary member the Farm House Fraternity, and ‘Block and Bridle’.
Special things in his life were his grandchildren, working in his garden and caring for baby lambs. Roy believed in family, farming and community. He has said his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are priceless. In fact, he refers to them as his ‘Best Crop’.
His vision resulted in many positive changes in the pork industry. Involvement in numerous local, state and national organizations brought him personal satisfaction and recognition of his contributions.
The staff at Oakwood Assisted Living, Ridgecrest Village, have become like family in their care of Roy and Myrtle over the past two years. Roy has enjoyed his friendships with a whole host of other extended family members and close friends.
Those left to honor his memory include his beloved wife Myrtle; his daughters and sons-in-law, Ila Jean & Dan Taylor of Bouton IA and Annette & Frank Remsburg of Grand Rapids MI; his sons and daughters-in-law, Glen & Jean Keppy of Eldridge and Dale & Tamia Keppy of Moline Illinois; his grandchildren; Chad, Neal, Shelley, Paul, Brent, Laurel, Alysa, Kyle, Kari, Todd, Noah and Hannah; his step-grandchildren; Kyle and Casie; his great grandchildren; Carolyn, Alayna, Baylee, Ethan and Archie; and his sister Anna Keppy of Davenport.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Norma Albers, and Mary Dengler, and Martha Meier; his bothers Ralph, Henry, John, Ray, and Charlie; and his infant daughter, Royce Adell Keppy.
Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Roy’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.