The Rotary Club of Taradale was greatly saddened to hear that Past President Ian Kepka had passed away after a long illness.Ian’s life was an amazing success story, as he triumphed over early adversity.
Ian was born in 1934 in the province of Bialystokin, Eastern Poland and bordering Belarus.
He lived a normal childhood until war broke out in 1939. Nazi Germany had signed a non-aggression pact with Poland, so it was a shock when they invaded Poland, and early one morning soldiers called at the Kepka home.
There was load banging on the door and the house was searched. All family members, grandfather, mother, father, plus 5 year old Ian and his brother Zygmunt (Zyg) were taken to a local school, processed, and put on a cattle truck train.
They never saw their home again. Millions of people were moved in temperatures of -34C, with no food or water and buckets for toilets. Eventually they reached the Ural Mountains in Russia, close to Siberia. On arrival Ian’s mother died from starvation.
The men were put to work in the mines for a period lasting two years and during this time, their grandfather passed away and then their father. Ian and his older brother Zyg were now orphaned and lived alone for some time before being placed in a Polish orphanage.
Eventually the children in these camps were moved south through the Russian provinces of Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, eventually reaching Teheran in Iran (Persia at that time) and placed in a refugee camp. In June 1943 Peter Fraser’s Government offered hospitality to 733 Polish refugee children. Ian and Zyg were selected and boarded the American ship the “General Randolph”, which shipped all Polish refugees to New Zealand. They sailed into Wellington harbour on 31st October 1944.
Ian was now 10 years old and started life at Pahiatua in a Polish refugee camp. During this period of orientation and learning the Kiwi way of life, he made a number of visits to Napier, so it was no surprise when he was enrolled at the Catholic school of St. John’s College in Hastings. As well as a good student, he was a good sportsman and played in the played the school’s 1st XV in 1950-51. He was a good rugby player and on leaving school and settling in Hawkes Bay, he joined the Marist Rugby Club, as well as the Napier Athletic Club.
He got a job as a building apprentice with Angus Construction Company. Through his involvement with athletics, he met Janet, a good high jumper. They were married on Feb 16th 1957. Once married, Ian set out on his own in building, specialising in high quality modern homes and associated himself with architects such as John Scott and Paris Magdalinos. There are many homes around Hawkes Bay, such as the “Martin Home” (right) designed by John Scott, that bear the stamp of Ian’s quality craftsmanship as a builder. In his son Richard’s words, “he was an awesome builder”. In 1966 he was registered as a Master Builder. In the building field he established a high reputation, winning many architectural awards.
Ian was always involved in community work. In the fifties he was active in athletics coaching, and in the early days was a member Jaycees during the period that they raised money for the Princess Alexandra Hospital. He was Captain of the Napier Golf Club for three years then President for three, overseeing course improvements, and was later made a life member. He was made a J.P. in 1985.
He joined Rotary 4/2/1965 and resigned 31/12/2011 after 47 years of service. He was soon involved in Club affairs and served as a Director during Jock Morris’s Presidency in 1969-70. 1971 he assisted with the restoration of the waterwheel in the Taradale Park
He became President of the Club in 1972-73. During this year he introduced the Most Courteous Shop Assistants’ Award, an event which ran for the duration of his time in the Club. After a stuttering start, Ian assumed the role of convenor of the Auction committee in 1970. This set the pattern for the next 33 years. The 1970 Auction raised $2340, $1000 of which was donated to the Taradale Kindergarten.
The Club was fortunate that during the 1980’s and 90’s many members were skilled tradesmen who donated their skills to supervise the building of major projects. In 1984 Ian was on the building committee for the construction of two flats for the Atawhai Retirement Village, and then the major renovation of the Taradale Town Hall in 1993.
In 2003, the Dolbel Reserve was greatly enhanced with the construction of a set of gates at the entrance to the lower flats. Planned by Ian, the gates were funded by a range of donations, including the Dolbel Family, and $20,000 from Club auction funds. The mayor, Barbara Arnott, opened the gates in July 2003.
Ian thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of Rotary and in the earlier days he was a regular attendee at the famous Stress Seminars at Taupo. A 1981 Bulletin reported that “Ian Kepka had torn the course apart with sub par golf”. He twice won the annual Rotary Golf tournament; sponsored by Bill Beaton.
For his work in Rotary, he was made a Paul Harris Fellow in 2001.
During his life he is remembered as being a great leader and role model. He was a man with strong moral principles founded on his strong Catholic faith, and as a result he enjoyed great respect from his colleagues, friends and his workers.
He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. The Club extends its sincere condolences to his widow Janet, sons Michael, Richard and Gregory, and extended family.