Obituary of RODNIE VALLEY PEPPLER

Rodnie (Rod) Valley Peppler (1934 – 2020) It is with deep sadness that the family of Rodnie (Rod) Peppler, aged 85, shares the news of his passing on June 22, 2020. Rod was predeceased by Eileen, his loving wife and partner of 61 years, as well as his sister Shirley. Rod will be lovingly remembered by his two children, Blair (Darlene) and Kim (Kevin), as well as his three cherished grandsons, Will (Shannon), Bryn (Rachel), and Simon. Rod is survived by his sister Sandra Fritz (John), and their two children, Jackie and Greg. Rod will also be fondly remembered by his niece Wendy (Gerry) and brother-in-law Brian (Mariyln). Rod was born to Alec and Louise in the small farming community of Rhien, Saskatchewan, at the tail end of the Great Depression. It was in Rhien that Rod’s “prairie values” developed. He learned the value of hard work, the importance of family, and how to live frugally. When his family moved to Lorette, Manitoba, Rod attended high school operated by the Grey Nuns, where he learned to speak French. Rod went on to attend Manitoba Central Normal School and became certified as a teacher. His first teaching position was at a one-room schoolhouse near the town of Waldersee, Manitoba. It was in Waldersee where Rod met Eileen, fell in love, had a short career as a hockey goaltender, and renewed his farming skills by helping out on his future in laws farmstead. Rod and Eileen moved to Winnipeg and were married in 1957, although there would be many return trips to Waldersee. They purchased their first home in 1959 on Teakwood Avenue in the thriving neighbourhood of Garden City, where Blair and Kim were raised. Rod and Eileen became involved in the lives of their kids through involvement in school committees, as well as coaching community baseball and hockey. Rod and Eileen were both life-long members of the Lutheran Church, most notably as members of Zion Lutheran in the north end of Winnipeg where Rod taught Sunday school and served on the church executive for a number of years. The years at Zion, along with their 30 years in Garden City, produced many deep lasting friendships that formed the basis of their social life. This fueled their love for entertaining, and the new rec room Rod built served as a site for many card games, neighbourhood parties, and church group poker evenings! Rod had a 38-year career in education, primarily as a principal – a profession he truly enjoyed! Rod began his teaching career at the original West Kildonan Collegiate and was later appointed as the first administrator of Collicutt School. During these years he went on to earn Bachelor of Arts and Education degrees from the University of Manitoba, by attending evening and summer classes. Rod moved to the Assiniboine South School Division in 1965 where he initially served as the principal at Tuxedo Park and Laidlaw Schools. His most enduring professional experience was as principal of Beaumont School, in Charleswood, where he had the unique opportunity of seeing his niece Jackie and nephew Greg develop. After Beaumont, Rod went to Quebec to brush up on his French language skills which would prepare him for what would be his last school placement before retirement, at River West Park School. Throughout these experiences, Rod was passionate about helping his own children, and the many students he came in contact with, grow as both learners and young people – he is proud that both his son and daughter followed in his footsteps as educators. Rod fell in love with the game of basketball while teaching at West Kildonan Collegiate. Here, he coached, and began officiating, which marked the beginning of a life-long passion. Rod went on to officiate at all levels, including at the collegiate level in Canada. Rod was one of the founding members of the Manitoba Association of Basketball Officials (MABO) and was active in the organization in a variety of capacities throughout his lifetime, including most recently as a developer of officials throughout the province. Rod served as head of officials for the Winnipeg Thunder of the National Basketball League and Winnipeg Cyclone of the International Basketball Association, as well as for the Pan American Games in 1999. Rod was fortunate to be involved in the sport of basketball as an official, administration, and executive member for five decades. Amongst other honours, he recently became the first Honorary Life Member of MABO, and was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame as a builder in 2005. In addition to his involvement in basketball, Rod kept himself busy through involvement in professional organizations, reading, playing baseball, umping softball and slow pitch, bowling, and puttering around the yard. Being the son of a carpenter, Rod developed some skills of his own, and often put them to good use. He was known to build outdoor furniture, developed the basement rec room, and built the family cottage in Lakeshore Heights. When the daily tasks of maintaining their home and property become physically taxing, Rod shifted into the role of “snoopervisor” quite easily, overseeing yard work done by his grandsons, various trades people, and neighbours, always ensuring the work was up to his standards. Rod also had an avid interest in sports, and spent many evenings watching the Blue Bombers, and the return of his beloved Winnipeg Jets. One of Rod’s greatest joys was spending time with his grandsons, Will, Bryn, and Simon. Rod truly enjoyed the time he spent with the boys, whether it was driving them to practice or competitions, picking them up from school, chaperoning a sports trip, hanging out on a family vacation, or helping with homework. Grandpa Peppler, as he was aptly known, became well-travelled in the various circles and was always eager to meet the new teammates or friends. At home, Rod also had the boys “assist” in tasks around the yard, from grass cutting, to cleaning the eavestrough, sweeping the roof, and everything in between. After a hard day of work, Grandpa would nap in the La-Z-Boy while the boys ate whatever grandma had prepared for a snack. Rod passed on his love of learning and education to his grandsons, and they shared many afternoons at the kitchen table working on the latest homework project. Over the years he became a trusted mentor who provided invaluable wisdom and support to his grandsons, while being always willing to listen and help. Rod truly had many talents and interests that provided him with an array of wonderful life experiences and memories. His knowledge, passion, and energy had an impact on many. His passing will leave a gap in our family and in our hearts. The family thanks Sandra and John Fritz for the tremendous support and love they gave both Rod and Eileen.