Alphonse "Al" H Kaeppel

Alphonse “Al” Kaeppel, 93, of Springdale, Arkansas (formerly of Illinois) passed peacefully from this life on December 20, 2023. 

Al was born and raised in River Forest, Illinois. He graduated from Northwestern University and stayed in the Chicagoland area until relocating to Northwest Arkansas in 1999. He remained a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan.

Al worked for Honeywell for several decades in their Heating and Cooling controls department, designing and selling the controls for many buildings in downtown Chicago, including the Sears Tower.

He was a lifelong learner who enjoyed antique cars, trains and reading extensively about the Civil War and his hero, Abraham Lincoln. Al was a longtime member of the National Railroad Historical Society, joining different chapters as he moved and serving in various leadership roles. He was also a member of Foothills of the Ozarks Antique Auto Club.

Al served his fellow man by belonging to the Lions Club, volunteering with and supporting Arkansas Children’s Northwest Hospital and Circle of Life hospice.

Al is survived by his daughter Christine of Dallas, TX; his son Frederick of Shaker Heights, OH; five grandchildren (Matthew, Leigh Ann, Cody, Max, and Andrew); and his great grandson Ranger. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude “Trudy” Kaeppel and his sister, Suzanne “Sue” Niccolai. 

If you would like to honor Al we request you make a donation to Circle of Life Hospice (NWAcircleoflife.com).

According to Al’s wishes cremation arrangements are under the direction of the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral home of Springdale.