Gilford-----Stephen "Steve" Morrison Reep II, 91, took his place at the Lord’s table on Wednesday, November 23, 2016.
Steve was born February 16, 1925, in Vincennes, Indiana, to Stephen M. Reep and Helen (Schuab) Reep. He was the eldest of their 4 children and was predeceased by his brothers Dan and Howard and sister Katie. He joined the Army Air Corps July 4, 1943. He and Carol (Skowlund), his wife of 32 years, together raised a family of 5 sons and 6 daughters. Steve was a forward thinker and in the early 1960s incorporated his family as a modeling unit that did television and print advertising. This endeavor was spotlighted in Cosmopolitan magazine and the Jack Linkletter show.
Steve's professional interest was in aviation. He would barnstorm the lakes in the Midwest with his floatplane giving rides. He owned a small airport in his early flying career. He was a commercial pilot with Eastern Air Lines from 1952 to 1985. He remained active in the aviation field, owning his own Lake aircraft, flight instructing into his mid-80s. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, Lake Amphibian Club, United Flying Octogenarians and Powered Parachute Club. He authored 3 books in his retirement: “Go To Hull”, about flying Lake Aircraft and two about family and children.
Steve and his loving and supportive wife of 39 years, Jane (Zimmerman), designed and built their Gilford home in 1981. They traveled extensively in their motor home visiting friends and family with their beloved pets. They had many adventures together and along with grandchildren, attending the Indy 500 and the Oshkosh Airshow. They are long-time members of the First United Methodist Church of Gilford.
Steve lived life to the fullest. He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, as well as an adventurer, pilot, author and teacher, choosing a life that he shared with his loved ones.
Steve is survived by his wife, Jane, her twin sister, Janet Zimmerman, and their brother, Lawrence Zimmerman, his children Stephen Reep and his wife, Judy, of Lake Placid, FL, Bruce Reep of Miami, FL, Vance Bretz and his wife, Debbie, of Cottonwood Heights, UT, Thad Reep of Melbourne, FL, David Reep of Andover, NH, Gail and her husband, Paul Warren of Essex Junction, VT, Kathleen and her husband, Robert Tiede of Anchorage, AK, Christine and her husband, Joseph Foti of Roswell, GA, Beth Bellows of Andover, NH, Kim and her husband, Frank Sanchez of Miami, FL, Jill and her husband, Bruce Huggins of Marietta, GA; 27 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.
There will be no calling hours.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church of Gilford, 18 Wesley Way, Gilford, NH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to First United Methodist Church of Gilford, 18 Wesley Way, Gilford, NH 03249.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.