James Wallace Rapp, 92, civic leader in Malvern
James Wallace Rapp, 92, of Malvern, a civic leader in the Chester County borough, died Saturday, Nov. 19, of congestive heart failure at home.
James Wallace Rapp, 92, of Malvern, a civic leader in the Chester County borough, died Saturday, Nov. 19, of congestive heart failure at home.
Mr. Rapp was a quality control manager for Deluxe Corp., a check-printing firm, for 30 years before retiring in 1990. The Paoli plant at which he worked is no longer in operation.
The son of James Archibald Rapp and Mary Agnes Wallace Rapp, he graduated from Malvern High School and attended Drexel University for training as an engineer, but his studies were interrupted by World War II.
He served with the Army's 243rd Engineer Combat Battalion. After completing his military service, Mr. Rapp married Dorothy Margaret Logue Rapp, and the two spent 66 years together until her death in 2013.
He served the Malvern community as a member of the Malvern Planning Commission in 1970 and as president of the Malvern Borough Council through the mid-1970s.
Mr. Rapp also was a life member of the Malvern Fire Company, the Malvern Civic Association, a judge of elections, a leader of Malvern Boy Scout Troop 7, an administrator for Chester Valley Little League, and parade marshal for the Paoli Memorial Association.
In the early 1970s, Mr. Rapp started the first bulk trash pickup in Malvern by assembling volunteers from the community and merchants to be the project's business partners.
"He coordinated payment for their service by feeding them lunch served by the Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary," his family wrote in a tribute. "He brought all of them together."
In 1974, he was selected Malvern Business Association Citizen of the Year.
Mr. Rapp was a member of St. Patrick Men's Club and the last charter member of Paoli VFW Post 5203. He attended gatherings at the Malvern Retreat House for 55 years.
He loved camping, cruises, and spending time with his relatives. In the last 26 years, Mr. Rapp and his wife visited 45 states.
He is survived by children Maryanne Johnston Bowes, Susan Palladino, Pauline Webster, Dolores Lee Rapp, Liz Morris, James E., and Dorothy Kelly; 22 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by grandson James Robert Rapp.
Services were Saturday, Nov. 26. Donations may be made to Malvern Boy Scout Troop 7, P.O. Box 324, Malvern, Pa. 19355, or the Malvern Retreat House, 315 S. Warren Ave., Malvern, Pa. 19355.
610-313-8102