Dean Howarth Lapp, 93, died Friday, November 15, 2010 at United Memorial Medical Center.
Dean was born and grew up in LeRoy, the son of John and Ethna Visscher Lapp. He graduated from the University of Rochester in 1939. By this time, he had met Barbara Schaffner and they married in 1940. From that day on, they remained a devoted couple for 68 years. They made every day a new and enjoyable adventure for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Barbara died in 2009. Dean is survived by a brother, Sumner Lapp, four children and their families: Henry and Ruth Raynor Lapp, Forrest and Christine Lapp Williamson, Dean and Betty Pcionek Lapp, and Daniel and Mary Klemm Lapp, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
For his entire career, Dean worked for the Lapp Insulator, a company founded by his father. In 1955, with four children, Dean and Barbara bravely took on the renovation of that big old house in Alexander. For the next 53 years, they led a peaceful life in the country. It was always a good day when Dean could find an excuse to drive his tractor. For the past four years, Dean resided at the Manor House in Batavia, where he enjoyed his neighbors and extra fine care.
At the age of ten, Dean began playing golf and loved the game for the next 75 years. And he was pretty good too! He was the Stafford Country Club champion twice - getting two hole-in-ones in his lifetime. For decades, he enjoyed Saturday morning gatherings in the back room of Genesee Hardware. He was active in the Rotary and Boy Scouts and for many years, served on the boards of Alexander Central School, BOCES, and Genesee Memorial Hospital.
You may have known these things about Dean, but did you know he would juggle whatever was in the fruit bowl for his children while Barb made dinner; and that he loved a good magic show? Did you know that 50 years ago, he built a snowblower but it only worked when he went backwards...or that he held the javelin throwing record at the University of Rochester? Did you know that he never ate a cucumber or pickle in his entire long life...or that he figured out that bats can not read the sonar of a tennis racquet so he always kept two handy for catching bats in the house? Did you know that he lost a nickel 90 years ago and whenever he took the family on a Sunday drive, one goal was to drive by the LeRoy gravel pit to see if they had found the nickel yet or if they were still digging and looking for it? In honor of Dean, drive by that gravel pit and check to see if they found his nickel yet or are they still digging! He had a great life and his family will miss him.
A memorial service will be held next summer. Memorial gifts may be made to
United Memorial Medical Center Foundation, 123 North Street, Batavia, New York 14020. Condolences may be made at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements were completed by the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020.
