Leslie E. Korper II ’63 died on June 27, 2024, in South Glastonbury, Connecticut.
(The following was provided by the Mulryan Funeral Home on June 27, 2024:)
Leslie Earle Korper II ’63
Leslie (Les) Earle Korper II, 82, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2024. Born on December 23, 1941, in Hartford, CT, he was the son of the late Donald Adolph Korper and Martha Elizabeth Dixon. He was predeceased by his siblings Donald Adolph, Jr, Peter Dixon, and Melinda Jane Korper. He was a devoted and loving father, grandfather, brother, friend, and the beloved husband of the late Debra Ann (Hesse) Korper.
Les is survived by his daughter, Robin Lee Tracy, and her husband, Timothy, of Massachusetts, his son, David William Korper, and his wife, Christine, of Glastonbury, CT, his grandchildren Nathan and Nicole Tracy and Emily and Owen Korper. Les lived most of his life in Glastonbury. He graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1959. In 1963, he graduated Bowdoin College with an AB in mathematics and was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He played lacrosse at both schools.
He enjoyed telling the story of how he hitchhiked from Brunswick, Maine, to Boston in college to watch his favorite team, the Celtics.
Les had a long and successful career as an actuary, serving as vice president for several companies. He was a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
A devout member of First Church of Christ, Congregational for more than fifty years, Les took on numerous roles including vice president and then president of the church, Sunday School teacher, youth advisor, deacon, Stephen minister, lay reader, usher, treasurer, trustee, and served on the Stewardship Committee, Nominating Committee, Board of Christian Service, Audit Committee, and Church Growth and Membership Committee. He volunteered with Food Share, and served as president of Visiting Nurse Association of Glastonbury. He was involved with other community organizations including the Exchange Club and Jaycees.
Family life was dear to Les. He and Debbie met in Guilford, CT, where their families summered. Their first date was in 1955. Six years later, they were engaged on December 16 at Leetes Island in Guilford and were married on September 14, 1963. Les loved summer family vacations on Cape Cod. He enjoyed walking the sandbars early morning with his children. At home, Les would often take his children on walks in the state forest in Glastonbury. Debbie and Les also enjoyed vacations in Maine. Les had a passion for all things ocean and he and Debbie purchased a boat which helped create many family memories for nearly two decades. Les also had a fascination for Ford Mustangs and later in life fulfilled his dream of owning one.
Les cared deeply for his children, grandchildren, people generally, and the youth of the community. He was energized by playing with Nathan, Emily, Owen, and Nicole, and never missed an opportunity to watch them participate in their activities. He was kind to every person he met and took a sincere interest in listening to other people. He spent time coaching sports, mentoring and guiding young people through the complications of their lives.
In his spare time, he was an avid reader, and enjoyed playing Sudoku.