Jewish and general community activist R. Todd Lappin, 70, former proprietor of Lappin Electric Co., didn’t allow struggles with his health to slow him down.
Before he died of a heart attack on the evening of May 21 after long struggles with cancer, he was in the middle of plans and projects.
That very morning, he had spoken to Harriet Schachter McKinney, executive director of the Milwaukee Area Jewish Committee, about a project for the improvement of human relations on college campuses in Wisconsin, McKinney said in a telephone interview on May 26.
And Sue Strait, chair of the board of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, said on May 25 that the JCC had been “counting on him for his nominating committee gems” that the humor-gifted Lappin would have spoken at the organization’s annual meeting on May 26.
McKinney recalled that she had asked him why he didn’t rest and withdraw from his community work while he was enduring the often-debilitating treatments for his cancer. He replied, “Why should I stay home and worry [about my health] when I could be busy and involved in making a difference?”
Indeed, the kind of “awareness of mortality” that comes from struggling with potential life-threatening disease “drove him even more” to community activism, said Richard H. Meyer, executive vice president of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.
“He felt he had a lot to accomplish, and he wanted to do as much as possible,” said Meyer.
Loved Israel, mangled Hebrew
A native Milwaukeean, Lappin graduated from Duke University, then returned to run Lappin Electric, a wholesale electrical supply firm started by his grandfather. He sold that business in 1997.
According to Meyer, Lappin visited Israel for the first time in the 1970s, and that experience “turned him on to Jewish community and Jewish responsibility and Jewish possibility.”
Lappin first became involved in the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, serving as general campaign chair and president. He also led a number of missions to Israel.
According to Meyer, the federation “trained him as a community leader,” providing him some of the skills and experience he brought to many other organizations, including the JCC; Israel Bonds; the local American Jewish Committee chapter, now MAJC; the Milwaukee Boys and Girls Club; the Milwaukee College Preparatory School; the American Cancer Society; the University of Wisconsin Paul P. Carbone Cancer Clinic; and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Indeed, in 2007, he was president of three local organizations simultaneously: Brynwood Country Club, the JCC and MAJC.
According to Strait, Lappin also had “business acumen” that “was invaluable to the JCC in guiding us while we were going through the [recent] construction and in plans for the building after the construction.”
Moreover, he was an effective community diplomat. “One of the things I loved about Todd was that he could relate to anyone across any age or cultural divide,” said McKinney.
“He was president of the federation at the beginning of challenging times in the community” when there was uncertainty about the future and “tension between agencies,” said Meyer. “Lappin used humor to disarm tense situations and get folks more willing to talk to each other.”
Indeed, as much as people remembered his passion for his causes and community work, Lappin’s sense of humor seems to be what people recall most fondly. He was a “king of the one-liners,” and was frequently called upon to preside over events.
However, one had to be careful because of an eccentricity that was humorous but involuntary, said Meyer. For all Lappin’s love of Israel and commitment to Zionism, he couldn’t seem to figure out how to pronounce Hebrew.
When he wanted to say “boker tov” (“good morning”), it would come out “broken toe,” according to Meyer. Moreover, “We had to consciously prevent Todd from introducing an Israeli speaker, because he would invariably mangle the speaker’s name,” said Meyer.
But this “humorous embarrassment” fit with Lappin’s self-deprecating humor and with his leadership style. “He gave credit and confidence and he wasn’t egotistical about it,” said Strait. “He would answer any questions.… He was a quality kind of guy.”
“He had ideas, but he really listened,” said McKinney. “He was approachable… and he was fun [and] so appreciative. There was nothing jaded about Todd.… I will miss him terribly.”
Lappin is survived by his wife, Muriel; children Michael (Tracy) Lappin, Laura Lappin, Kathy (Eric) Konik, and Gary (Mara) Lappin; stepchildren Bradley Sax and Larry (Leanne Chase) Sax; sister Sue (Bud) Selig; brother Rick (Gert) Lappin; nine grandchildren and one step-grandchild.
Rabbi Marc Berkson officiated at the funeral at Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun on May 24. Burial was in Spring Hill Cemetery.
The family would appreciate memorial contributions to the UW Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave., K4/658, Madison, WI 53792-6164; of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin, 13195 W. Hampton Ave., Butler, WI 53007.
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