Merrill Ronald Talpers passed away peacefully on Oct. 4 at the age of 91.
He was born on July 30, 1932, and grew up in Denver, Colorado, until leaving to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. It was during his time in college that he met his wife, Soni, whom he married shortly after graduation in 1954.
Following law school, he served two years as a first lieutenant in the Judge Advocate Corps at the Wichita Falls Air Force Base. Upon completion of his service, he moved to New York City to attend New York University and earn a master’s degree in tax law.
Having completed his schooling, it was at this point he took his first professional job with the Internal Revenue Service in Kansas City, followed by a period of time with a private law firm before he decided to set out on his own and form a partnership with a fellow colleague. The two established the law firm of Olsen & Talpers in 1968, in which he specialized in the practice of tax, estate and corporate law.
During his life, he was committed to community and civic service by donating his time and services to charities and organizations throughout the city. He served as chairman of the board of the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Bureau, chairman of the Bartle site selection committee and a member of the Kemper Arena site selection committee. He was a member of the Optimist Club and helped on many occasions in the construction of housing for those in need for Habitat for Humanity. He was a member of the Kansas City Bar Association, the Lawyers Association and the Taxation Committee of the Missouri Bar Association.
He was a lifelong member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, where he served on various committees including the one for the construction of its new house of worship. In addition to donating his time, he also donated countless hours of legal services and representation on behalf of charities with the only intent being to help them in any way possible.
Family was the cornerstone of Merrill’s life, as there was no greater pleasure to him than to spend time with his wife and children — whether it was a vacation, playing games in the yard, having a meal together or talking with his grandchildren about what was going on in their lives. He always made time for those in his family, regardless of what may have been going on in his life. It was evident that the wellbeing of others was a priority over his own.
His loving marriage to his wife for 69 years was one of his greatest joys, and it was apparent each and every day. He instilled quality values in his children and grandchildren and made sure they led a life of honesty, learning, humility and charity.
During his life, he enjoyed playing golf, exercising, traveling, home repair projects and taking walks in the park for times of quiet reflection and refocus of life.
Merrill will be dearly missed but remembered as a loving and devoted husband, a caring and supportive dad and a kindhearted and attentive grandpa. Character, wisdom, compassion and family-first values are all traits that he exemplified in his life on a daily basis. He had a kindhearted nature and always saw the good in people.
He is survived by his wife, Soni, with whom he shared a life together for 69 years; his four children, Kirk and (Debby) Talpers, Scott and (Pam) Talpers, Heidi and (Keith) Durwood, Stacy and (Clif) Rope; eight grandchildren, Heather Stuckey, Bennett Talpers, Adam Talpers, Danielle Rope, Lexie Talpers, Tyler Durwood, Preston Talpers and David Rope; sister, Roberta Caheen; four nieces and two nephews.
A graveside service will take place on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 2:30 pm at Rose Hill Cemetery (6900 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64118).
As a remembrance of his life, donations can be made to The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah and Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City.
