Richard (Rick) Kephart, a 65 year-old resident of Hixson, Tennessee, passed away on May 4, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tennessee after a 6-month long battle with cancer.

Rick was born in Washington, D.C. on June 5, 1954 to David and Edith Kephart. He grew up in Akron, Ohio with his younger brothers Bill and Bryan. After graduating high school, he served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1974.

Over the years, Rick lived in several places, including Mobile, Alabama and Orlando, Florida. Work eventually brought him to Tunnel Hill, Georgia and finally to Hixson, Tennessee. He was a capacity planner for Shaw Industries in Dalton, Georgia.

Rick helped found the Chattanooga Freethought Association and the Chattanooga Humanist Assembly. He was a great enthusiast and a generous supporter of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. He achieved a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, taught self-defense classes, won fencing championships, and won over many people's palates with his infamous chilli recipe.

Although he lived a less than average life span, Rick did not live an average life. He took a cooking class in Tuscany, climbed the giant sand dunes of Namibia, explored the ice caves of New Zealand, rode a helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef, saw the wonders of Machu Picchu, and melted off the soles of his shoes while exploring the Australian outback.

Rick's fun and social nature showed itself in his frequent participation with Chattooeine, a Chattanooga-based cosplaying group. He was much beloved in his portrayal of the Star Wars character "Obi-Wan Kenobi", who looked remarkably like him.

No account of Rick's many interests would be complete without mentioning his passion for music and his masterful skills on the guitar. Many would say Rick's love of music was only surpassed by his love for Sarah Kephart, whom he married on October 16, 2018. Though their time together was brief, it was filled with an immense amount of joy, laughter, tears, and unconditional love.

In addition, Rick is survived by his daughter, Rebecca King, and her sons, Nicoli and Alex, of Akron, Ohio. He is also survived by his brothers, Bill Kephart of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and Bryan Kephart of Phoenix, Arizona. Rick also leaves behind a multitude of friends. He was a kind, wise, and loving man who made a positive impact on hundreds of people in his community.

A memorial service to celebrate Rick's life will be held at a later date. For more information, and updates on the planned memorial service, please call (423) 320-6566.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make donations to the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. You may donate over the phone by calling (423) 267-8583 ext. 2103. You may also donate through their website http://chattanoogasymphony.org/ or send a check in the mail to Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, 701 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402.