Robert Walter Karpe

ROBERT (Bob) W KARPE AGE 92 passed away on October 31, 2023 at 13115 Hinault Drive in Bakersfield, California. He was born on November 3, 1930 in Bakersfield, California to Elmer F and Florence A Karpe.
Bob graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1949 and went on to receive a B.S. degree in Business Administration from UC Berkeley as Valedictorian of his class.  He succeeded his father as owner of Elmer F. Karpe, Inc. until, then Gov. Ronald Reagan, appointed him as Real Estate Commissioner for the State of California and later, as President of the U.S., appointed him President of the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA). 
Bob married Phyllis Henning in 1956 in Bakersfield, California. They were happily married for 35 years.  He was a member of First Baptist Church, serving in various capacities, as well as in many other realty and civic organizations.  He enjoyed football and played in the Rose Bowl in 1950 and 1951.
Bob is survived by his children, Robert L Karpe, Kamath, Idaho; Sandra Higgins, Alexander, Virginia; and Raymond E Karpe, Bakersfield, California; his grandsons, John Z. Karpe, Idaho; Robert Kenneth Karpe, Tucson, Arizona; and Adam Jacob Karpe, Columbus, South Carolina; and many nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his father Elmer F Karpe, mother Florence Johnson Karpe; sisters, Jane Harding and Margaret Karpe; and brothers, Leland Elmer Karpe and George Calvin Karpe.
A graveside service will be held 10 A.M., November 14, 2023, at Union Cemetery, 730 Potomac Ave., Bakersfield, CA93307 in the Garden of Memory off South King St.