Thomas M. "Topper" Tepe, Sr.

Thomas M. "Topper" Tepe, Sr. passed away Saturday, October 16, 2021 at his home in Cincinnati with his family by his side.

Mr. Tepe was born Oct. 10, 1945 in Norwood, Ohio, the son of Dorothy G. and R. Edward Tepe.

He was a graduate of Purcell High School, Xavier University and St. Louis University School of Law.

Mr. Tepe was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Supreme Courts of Ohio and Missouri and the United States District Court of Ohio, Southern Division. He was a former member of the Ohio State Supreme Court Board of Commissioners of Grievances and Discipline, the Lawyer Specialization of the Ohio Supreme Court and the Association of Trial Lawyers.

He was a long-standing member of the Cincinnati Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He served many years on the Grievance Committee, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee and Admissions Committee with the Cincinnati Bar Association.

He was a Third-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus for more than 50 years.

He loved all things train-related, Civil War history, Cincinnati sports teams and debating friends at lunch. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.

Mr. Tepe is survived by his wife, Karyn Fitzgerald Tepe (and was preceded in death by his first wife, Carol Lynch Tepe).

He is also survived by his children, Megan (Andrew) Herrlinger, Tom "Topper" Jr. (Kim) Tepe, Danny Tepe, Lauren Tepe, Kari (Jared) Kagrise, Keith Walker and Maureen Walker; his grandchildren, Caroline, Holly and Izzy Herrlinger, Max and Emmy Tepe, Colleen and Declan Tepe; (with baby Kagrise due in March); and his sisters, Martha Tepe and Mary Beth Lynch.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, R. Edward Tepe, Stephen Tepe, David Tepe and Jack Lynch.

Visitation will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20 at the Naegele, Kleb & Ihlendorf Funeral Home, 3900 Montgomery Road, Norwood, Ohio 45212. (Visit https://www.naegelefuneralhome.com/.)

Services will be 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, at St. Rose Church, 2501 Riverside Drive, Cincinnati 45202.

Memorial contributions in Tom's name may be made to the Association for the Blind, 2045 Gilbert Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 or to Hospice of Cincinnati, 4310 Cooper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242.