Obituary: Kapfer Sj, Rev. Leon P.
Age 94
KAPFER SJ, Rev.
Leon P.
Fr.
Lee Kapfer, SJ, died March 10, 2016 at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Center Infirmary in Los Gatos, CA.
He was 94.
A strong athlete, dedicated high school teacher, missionary to Africa, fund raiser, parish priest, and friend of many, Fr.
Kapfer was known for his quiet and steady way of proceeding regardless of the complexities of the situation.
An identical twin, Leon Philip Kapfer was born on December 20, 1921, in Spokane to Phillip L. and Ellen Mary (Lesh) Kapfer.
He grew up in Hillyard with his twin brother Leslie and older sister Virginia, enjoying a deep comradery among the many Catholics families living in the area.
Lee graduated from Gonzaga H.S.
in 1940 and that same summer entered the Jesuit Novitiate at Sheridan, OR.
He followed the regular course of Jesuit formation studies and teaching experiences and was ordained a priest on June 20, 1953, in Spokane.
The high school world and Fr.
Kapfer were a comfortable fit for each other; his classroom was a serious place and the athletic field was a place where he helped form the character of many young men.
Fr.
Kapfer lent his talents to Bellarmine Preparatory for nine years (1955 to 1964); a call to help build the church in Africa beckoned him to spend the next ten years in Zambia.
His mother’s declining health brought him back to Spokane in 1974; Fr.
Lee taught at Gonzaga Prep for three years and then was appointed the Director of the Jesuit Seminary and Mission Bureau, Oregon Province for twelve years.
In 1989 he was asked to “fill-in” for one year at St. Joseph Church, Seattle; nineteen years later the parish fondly wished him goodbye as he transferred to the Regis Community assisted-living center in Spokane in 2008.
As his health continued to decline Fr.
Kapfer transferred to the Jesuit Infirmary in Los Gatos, CA in 2015.
Fr.
Kapfer is survived by his nephews, Ken (Jeanie) and Galen (Gale) Goldman and Greg (Brenda) Kapfer.
He was preceded in death by his brother Les; his sister Virginia Goldman; his sister-in-law Barbara Kapfer; and his niece Ellen Lindquist.
His surviving grandnieces and grandnephews are: Scott Lindquist, Stephanie Goldman, Angela Goldman, Rebecca Goldman, and Andy Kapfer.
He will be deeply missed by his many friends, former students, colleagues, parishioners, and brother Jesuits of the Oregon Province.
A vigil service will be held Friday, April 8, at 7:00pm in the Jesuit House Chapel, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am, Saturday, April 9, at the same location.
The inurnment will be at 1:30pm, Saturday, April 9, at Mt.
St. Michaels Cemetery.
Contributions in honor of Fr.
Kapfer may be sent to: The Senior Jesuit Fund, c/o The Oregon Province, Society of Jesus, P.O.
Box 86010, Portland, OR 97286; or to the charity of the donor’s choice.