Richard S. Graper, Sr.

Richard S. Graper, Sr., age 87 years, of East Amwell Township, NJ passed away at home on Friday, January 21, 2022. Born in East Orange, NJ on March 17, 1934, he was the son of the late Frederick “Herbert” and Thelma Florence (Ordell) Graper. Richard grew up in Montclair, NJ and resided in Pequannock, NJ before moving to Hunterdon County in 1969. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1957-1959, and worked as a mechanical engineer at IBM for most of his career, eventually retiring in 1992. Richard was involved with Boy Scout Troop 65, the Amwell Valley Baseball League, member of the Flemington Elks Lodge #1928 and the Suburban Sports Car Club (SSCC). He was a car lover, New York Yankees and Giants fan, and enjoyed hiking and especially fishing. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. Richard was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Arlene Anne (Schember) Graper, who died in 2014, as well as his brother, Robert Graper, who died in 2012. Surviving are his eight children, John Graper of East Amwell Township, NJ, Joseph (Sally) Graper of Virginia, Richard Graper of East Amwell Township, NJ, Deborah (Phil) Keyes of Readington Township, NJ, Laura (Lincoln) Karnoff of Raritan Township, NJ, Kathy Graper of Lawrenceville, NJ, Kim Bragg of Raritan Township, NJ and Jennifer (Bryan) Antley of Ft. Mill, SC, as well as ten grandchildren, Robert (Sam) Keyes, Daniel (Becky) Keyes, Max Finch, Katie Finch, Jeffrey Karnoff, Alexis Bragg, Christopher Bragg, Marisa Bragg, Nathaniel Antley and Nicholas Antley, and seven great-grandchildren. Additionally, he is survived by a sister, Priscilla Griffin, of Charlotte, NC. A Mass of Christian Burial under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home will take place at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at St. Alphonsus Church, 54 East Prospect Street, Hopewell, NJ 08525. Burial next to his late wife will follow at Highland Cemetery, North Greenwood Avenue, Hopewell, NJ. Calling hours will be Friday, January 28, 2022, from 5:00-8:00 PM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. Memorial contributions may be made to Christine’s Hope for Kids, PO Box 190, Hopewell, NJ 08525 or to the Flemington Elks Lodge #1928, Children’s Special Needs Fund, P.O. Box 261, Flemington, NJ 08822. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to leave an online condolence.