Memorial
Casswell (Cass) C. Hepker, 96, passed peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, from this earthly life into Heaven on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Hemphill Hospice of Unity Point- St. Luke's Hospital, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His passing followed a long battle with cancer and its complications.
Cass was born on July 15, 1929, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Ralph Edward Hepker and Lillian Margaret (Boyd) Hepker. Fascinated by mechanical and scientific interests from early childhood, he built motorbikes, shortwave radios, and was tinkering at all sorts of innovative projects, foreshadowing the mechanical engineer he would one day become. Flying really was his central focus from early on. He joined the US Civil Air Patrol, 129th Cedar Rapids Squadron as a cadet and was active for 5 years. He would go on to enjoy being a private pilot as an adult and loved seeing the beauty of the Earth from aloft.
He married his childhood sweetheart, Barbara and they enjoyed a 56 year long life together, raised a son and daughter and had many adventures and travels throughout the years before Barbara’s passing.
He joined Collins Radio as a mechanical engineer and spent a fulfilling career designing avionics, specializing in autopilot servos. Collins/Rockwell patented a number of his designs. Cass retired in the late eighties, and he and Barbara lived for a number of years in Satellite Beach, Florida, enjoying sunrise and sunset walks along the ocean many days. They returned to Cedar Rapids in the nineties, where they could enjoy being closer to their family.
Besides being a pilot, Cass enjoyed being an amateur radio operator (callsign AB0OM), an RVing enthusiast, a boater and a gardener.
Cass was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Barbara, his brother Ralph (Bud), and son-in-law, Jeff, and his beloved 17-year-old Beagle companion, Penny.
He is lovingly remembered and cherished by his son Kurt (Julie), daughter Claudia; grandchildren Heather, Karen (Steve), Holly (Nate), Lorie (Joe) and Robin (Andrew); great-grandchildren DJ, Dakota (Sara), Kaitlyn, Holly, Ruby, Jack, Sam, Hayden, Harlowe, Grace and Micah. His much-loved dog, Brie, is missing him immensely.
Services:
Visitation at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 4-7pm and then again at Christ Episcopal Church 1 hour prior to the funeral service. A funeral service will be at 11am at Christ Episcopal Church, on Thursday April 16, 2026, where light luncheon reception will follow at the church after burial at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Donations may be made in his name to Last Hope Animal Rescue, Critter Crusaders or Christ Episcopal Church Pastoral Care Ministry.
Known for his warm smile, rock solid faith and optimistic outlook, Cass would be happy to know you are carrying on with sharing a welcome smile to all as the best remembrance possible. Cass lived almost 97 years as a truly kind person and has left the world a better place for having been here.