Lawrence Sylvester "Kapp" Kappenman, 86, husband, father, grandfather, friend and longtime Los Gatos resident, passed away on January 6, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.

Lawrence was born and raised in Centerville, South Dakota. After serving his country in the US Army, he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from South Dakota State University. While in college he courted and married Mary Bain and started his family. After graduation, he embarked on a career in the aerospace industry working in Florida, Washington and eventually settling his young family in California where he had a long and distinguished career with Lockheed Martin Space Systems.

The oldest of six children, Kapp's greatest joy in life was his family. He'd frequently pile Mary and the kids in the station wagon for summer reunions back in South Dakota, a tradition that lives on with his three granddaughters who will miss him dearly. He was an exemplary role model, coach and inspiration for his kids.  In his later years, he was his granddaughters' biggest fan, attending all their sporting events and school performances, even learning a challenging dance routine and filling in as "Dad" for his youngest granddaughter's father-daughter dance performance. He has left his family with a lasting legacy and many fond memories.

Lawrence is survived by Mary, his loving bride of 61 years, devoted daughter Lori and son-in-law Phil Carmena, daughter-in-law Maurin Kappenman, granddaughters Kelsey and Kerry Carmena and Amanda Kappenman, sister Joan Horstman and sister-in-law Eileen Kappenman. He was preceded in death by his daughter Jill and son Scott, sister Sally Bertelsen, and brothers Jerry, Pat and Mark.

Services are Monday, January 13, 2020 at 10 AM at Alameda Family Funeral Cremation in Saratoga with a private family interment in Los Altos.