Larry O. Rappe, a 67 year old Marine from Pensacola, FL, completed his service on October 21, 2017.

Born in Butler, PA on November 16, 1949, Larry grew up in Ashtabula, OH. Upon graduation from Ashtabula High School, he deployed to Vietnam with the US Marine Corps, where he served his country honorably. In respect to his service, he was awarded several honorable service medals, including the Purple Heart, which he earned on December 7, 1969.

After receiving a Bachelor's in Psychology from St. Leo College, his dedication to help others led him to work with the Eckerd Family Youth Alternatives, Inc. He began as a counselor who worked with troubled youth and was privileged to become a director before leaving to pursue a Bachelors of Social Work from The University of West Florida. He went on to earn a Masters in Social Work from Florida State University and began his career with the Pensacola Vet Center where he was able to instill in other veterans that their service did not stop when they took off their uniform.

He proudly retired as the Team Leader of the Vet Center after dedicating 26 years to serving and assisting other Veterans. In honor of his service to his fellow Veterans and their families, Larry was the third recipient of the Col. George E. "Bud" Day Lifetime Achievement Award.

Larry also passionately devoted his time and services to disaster relief work. Beginning in 1986, he responded to natural disasters and terrorist attacks worldwide, with his fellow team members from Critical Incident Stress Management of Florida (CISM); and Florida 1 Disaster Medical Assistant Team (DMAT) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As a result of his global work in disaster relief and stress management, he has published numerous academic articles in addition to government manuals; and has been invited to conduct trainings and presentations for other Emergency Service Providers worldwide.

Through the partnership of the Annual Japan/US Social Welfare Symposium at The University of West Florida, he and his wife were invited to present their work on disaster relief and mental health to professionals and students in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami of 2011 known as the Great Tōhoku.

For as long as his family can remember, he had his yellow "go bag" ready in case he was called to respond to a disaster. He and that yellow go bag have helped so many other first responders and victims.

After the terrorist attacks on September 11th, Larry was one of the first responders, along with his team from Florida 1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT), to respond to the World Trade Center. Unfortunately, his response to that tragedy is what ultimately took his life. Some time ago, Larry was diagnosed with a strand of Pulmonary Fibrosis that was specific to the first responders of the World Trade Center, and sadly, incurable.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Bert Rappe; brother, Gary Rappe; and his sisters, Darla Minnick and Donna Hinds.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Paula Rappe of Pensacola; son, Aaron Graeb (Vanessa) of Daphne, AL; daughter, Amanda Guthrie (Jacob) of Auburn, AL; son, Charles Rappe of Scottsboro, AL; sisters, Shirley (Anton) Holland of Orlando, FL and Marilyn Scott of Altamonte Springs, FL; brother, Kenneth Rape of Butler, PA; as well as numerous loved nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial Service will be held 12:00noon Monday, October 30, 2017 at Perdido Bay United Methodist Church followed by a Committal Service at Barrancas National Cemetery at 1:30pm, with full Marine Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Perdido Bay United Methodist Church for their disaster relief fund.

Larry's family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to Dr. Houston and his family in Foley, AL as well as the Patriot Guard.

Welcome home Marine, we will take it from here.