Richard “Rick” John Penpek, 63, of Knoxville passed away on May 17 at his home surrounded by his family.
Mr. Penpek was born on Oct. 7, 1960, in Erie, Penn., to Marie Mele Penpek and Richard Frank Penpek. He received his bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from Pennsylvania State University and his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He married his wife of 33 years, Lisa (Litsinger) Penpek, on Oct. 19, 1990.
Mr. Penpek truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures: his deep faith, golfing with friends, coaching his childrens’ sports teams, and exercising his impeccable sarcasm and wit.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa Penpek; his children, Richard John “RJ” Penpek Jr., Alyssa (Kenneth) Coulter, and Stephanie Penpek; his sister, Michelle “Taja” Durham; his brothers, Dennis (Lori) Penpek, Frank (Carrie) Penpek, and Robert Penpek; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents.
A funeral Mass for Mr. Penpek was celebrated at St. John Neumann Church in Farragut on May 24, followed by a burial service at Lakeview Cemetery.
Donations in Mr. Penpek’s memory may be made to Vanderbilt Health to support the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Fund. Go to:
give.vanderbilthealth.org/RickPenpek
