By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Dr. Tepe

NORWOOD - Dr. William R. Tepe, a family practitioner in Norwood for more than 50 years, died Friday of congestive heart failure at his home.

"He didn't want us to take him to the hospital," said his son, William Tepe, who lives 16 doors from his father's home. "He wanted to die at his house."

Dr. Tepe, 88, delivered "a great many of the children in Norwood - especially members of the existing police and fire department," his son said.

He never wanted to be anything more than a family doctor. "There were days when he got paid in chickens and hams," said his son.

And he didn't want to retire 10 years ago, but a fall and a broken hip forced him to.

Born and raised in Norwood, Dr. Tepe was a member of the Purcell High School class of 1932.

He graduated from Xavier University in 1936 and St. Louis Medical School in 1940.

He served as a military doctor in the Pacific during World War II. He treated wounded soldiers during the invasion of Saipan.

Then he came home and set up his practice at the corner of Carter and Sherman avenues in Norwood in 1946.

Dr. Tepe received a pin for being on staff at Good Samaritan Hospital for 50 years.

He was a member of the American Medical Association, the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine and the Ohio State Medical Association as well as the Norwood Knights of Columbus Council No. 1162 and the Norwood Eagles Aerie No. 449.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene E. Kuzma Tepe, three years ago.

In addition to his son, survivors include another son, Kenneth Tepe of Hamilton; two daughters, Doris Tranter of Amberley Village and Libby Myers of Norwood; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.

Visitation is 5-8 p.m. Monday at Naegele, Kleb & Ihlendorf Funeral Home, 3900 Montgomery Road, Norwood. Mass of Christian burial is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Our Mother of Sorrows Church, 7243 Eastlawn Drive, Roselawn.

Memorials: Cincinnati Children's Hospital, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati 45229, or Right To Life, 1802 W. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati 45239.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com