Kenneth "Ken" W. Leppen's Obituary
Kenneth W. Leppen, age 43, of Rochester Hills, Michigan and Stevens Point, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 15, 2022, at Beaumont Royal Oaks Hospital, Royal Oaks, Michigan. He was born May 25, 1979, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, the son of Wally and Karla (Bremmer) Leppen. Ken attended McKinley Elementary, Ben Franklin Junior High, and SPASH. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Material Sciences and Engineering and a minor in History. To all his college friends he was known as “Point” for his hometown and beer choice.
Ken loved science, especially the science involved in creating automotive steel and aluminum components. His career, spanning 20 years, took him from foundry and casting to research and development. He utilized his experiences participating in the UW-Madison Future Car/Future Truck program to advance his knowledge of new technologies in hybrid automotives. This experience served him well in his career as Metallurgical Engineer, most recently with the Rheinmetall-America Automotive Group of KS Kolbenschmidt US, Inc.
In contrast to his highly technical career choice, his love of history provided balance in his everyday life. He especially loved the history of war, from the conquests of the Huns to the modern war era. His collection of both fiction and non-fiction books on ancient and modern warfare was extensive. Because of his grandfather’s service in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, he was drawn to the campaign history of that specific region.
During his youth, Ken played baseball in the Plover Youth Baseball League and played hockey in the Portage County Youth on Ice (PCYOI) program. While his love of hockey lessened in adulthood, his love of baseball manifested itself in his loyalty to the Milwaukee Brewers. He was a season ticket holder until moving to Michigan. Don’t try visiting with him during a game; his focus was totally “Brewers”. In honor of Ken’s devotion to all things “Brewer”, friends and family are invited to wear their “Brewer” caps and shirts at the visitation and funeral.
Ken never married. He was a loving uncle to his 3 nieces, especially to his goddaughter, June. Attending family events and volunteering at the Mosey-Leppen Charity Hockey Tournament brought much joy to his life.
Ken is survived by his parents; brother, Andrew (Connie) Leppen, Amherst Junction, Wisconsin; and sister, Jennifer (Joshua) Chiamulera, Rhinelander, Wisconsin; nieces Emma, June and Lena; and great-nieces, Averie and Athena. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Sally (Hahn) Bremmer and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Walter and Carla Leppen; maternal grandfather, Louis Bremmer; paternal aunt, Judy (Leppen) Larson; paternal uncle, Jonathan Oberman; and maternal uncle, David Bremmer.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 12:00 PM at Nelsonville Lutheran Church, Nelsonville, WI. Reverend Dwight Anderson will officiate. A visitation will be held on Saturday morning from 10:00 until time of service at the church. Burial will take place directly after the funeral at Nelsonville Lutheran Cemetery in the Town of New Hope, WI. The Jungers-Holly Funeral Home of Amherst is assisting the family with arrangements.
A special thank you to the staff at Beaumont Royal Oaks Hospital who provided gentle care and kind words to Ken and the family during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established in Ken’s name.
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