Rev. Charles K. Riepe

Rev. Charles K. Riepe, of Joppa, MD, who just celebrated his 75th birthday in December, died on February 7, 2009 at his home. Born in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of the late J. Creighton Riepe Sr. and Elizabeth Cushing Knapp Riepe.

Father Riepe is survived by brothers, George M.S. Riepe of Lutherville, MD and John T. Riepe of Baltimore, MD; and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, J. Creighton Riepe Jr.

Father Riepe graduated from Gilman School, continued his studies at Saint Charles College in Catonsville, and went on to finish his undergraduate degree in Philosophy and his Masters Degree in Theology from Pontifical University of Innsbruck, Austria. He was ordained to the priesthood there in 1960 at the age of 26.
Father Riepe published two books "Living the Christian Seasons" and "The Mass of the Roman Rite," originally written by Rev. Joseph Jungmann, SJ, and revised by Father Riepe in 1958, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Pontifical University of Innsbruck. Father returned to the U.S. and served as Associate Pastor at St. Gregory the Great, Baltimore, MD in 1960 and at St. Joseph Church, Fullerton, MD in 1961. In 1964 he was named the first Chaplain and First Religion Department Chair at The John Carroll School. There he coached the JV boy's baseball team for over 6 years and became the second Principal in 1968. Athletics and, in particular, the development of a major football program were Father Riepe's vision and passion for John Carroll. In 1971 he oversaw the school's transition to an independent Catholic high school, under the umbrella of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, with a Board of Trustees of which Father Riepe was the first president.
In the 1970's, Father Riepe served on the Board of the Rosedale Federal Savings Bank, was Chaplain for the Maryland State Police, and was a board member and benefactor of Harford Day School in Bel Air, MD. He was the Rector at The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore from 1979-1980, Headmaster of Saint Sebastian School in Needham, MA from 1980-1990, Catholic Chaplain for Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD from 1990-2002, and also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of The John Carroll School from 1993-1996.

In 2002, in the Johns Hopkins Newsletter, Father announced his retirement where he was quoted, "I have other responsibilities besides Hopkins. I am on the board of the Harford Day School, a consultant for the Reading Network for the Blind, on the board of Partners in Excellence that raises money for the inner-city schools and a consultant on liturgical matters for Cardinal Keeler," Riepe said. "They are enough to keep me satisfied after retirement."

Coming "full circle" as a retired priest in 2002, Father returned to ministry at John Carroll again in the position of Chaplain, providing sacramental opportunities for the students and faculty, and also working with the football and lacrosse teams.

In announcing that school would be closed this Thursday in honor of Father Riepe's memory, Principal Paul Barker stated, "The death of Rev. Charles K. Riepe is a huge loss for our community. It is difficult to overstate Father Riepe's significance for John Carroll: founding chaplain, second principal, first president, a coach, a teacher, a trustee, and a benefactor – the single most influential figure in our school's history."
In December 2006, Father Riepe established at John Carroll "The Reverend Charles K. Riepe Scholar-Athlete Endowment Fund" to support tuition assistance for deserving student athletes thereby helping to fulfill Father's vision that strong athletic programs go hand-in-hand with excellent academics.
Tom Kelso, Chairman of the current JC Board of Trustees said, "One of the most enduring lessons I learned from Father Riepe is the lesson of leadership. As a student I watched Father lead an embryonic school in tumultuous times to achieve distinction as a leading academic institution. I learned that leadership is not about doing what is popular. Rather it is about combining vision, a vision so far into the future that many others cannot see it, with the ability to harness the tremendous energy and intellect of the hundreds of people dedicated to the cause."

In May 2008 Father Riepe was named the first Trustee-Emeritus and the first President-Emeritus by the John Carroll Board of Trustees and honored at a dinner held at the school where he had been a major benefactor over the years.
Father Riepe was also a benefactor and served for many years on the board of the Upper Chesapeake Medical System and the Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, where he was just elected an emeritus member.

Patti Murphy Dohn, Director of Campus Ministry for John Carroll School said, "The legacy which Father Riepe leaves behind to all of us at John Carroll is one of enduring service to Catholic Education and the Church, excellent academics, great athletics, and a strong spiritual foundation based on the 'Sacraments of Christ and His Church.' Father's heart will live on here at John Carroll through the numerous ways he supported us over the years and through the people whose lives were touched by him."

Pallbearers will be students of The John Carroll School, honorary pallbearers will be members of organizations with which Father Charles K. Riepe had involvement throughout his life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Reverend Charles K. Riepe Scholar-Athlete Endowment Fund, The John Carroll School, 703 Churchville Rd., Bel Air, MD 21014 or to The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, 520 Upper Chesapeake Drive, Bel Air, MD 21014.