It is with deep regret that the Stamford Fire Department announces the passing of retired Deputy Chief Kevin B Tappe.  Kevin, a longtime Stamford and Ridgefield resident, died recently in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was 72.

Kevin Bedard Tappe was born to John and Rhodyne Tappe in Long Beach, California. He attended St. Anthony Claret in Anaheim, California, and Stamford Catholic High in Stamford, Connecticut. He studied at UConn Storrs and Clemson University, completing his bachelor’s degree in fire science from Charter Oak State College. Tappe earned his MBA in public administration from Columbia Southern University, graduated from the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program, and received multiple certifications from the Connecticut Fire Academy.

Tappe pursued interests in softball, fishing, bow and gun shooting sports, and flying. He coached softball with his daughters for over 10 years and, as a recreational pilot, traversed the country in his Piper Cherokee. A natural “disruptor” who loved a good-natured prank, he once joined the Stamford Veterans Day parade with an unplanned low flyover up Bedford Street.

But his lifelong passion was firefighting, his interest sparked as a 14-year-old volunteer firefighter with the Belltown Fire Department, where Tappe became one of its first paid employees. With the Stamford Fire Department, he rose through the ranks, was honored as Firefighter of the Year, and retired as Deputy Chief of Training. He also served as a volunteer and president of the Stamford Emergency Medical Service. He continued his career with the Ridgefield Fire Department, retiring as Chief. His passion for all things fire spanned 60 years, including 30 with the Connecticut Fire Academy, where Tappe trained generations of firefighters, officers, and EMTs specializing in Fire I and II, fire officer, fire instructor, and incident safety officer programs. His teaching reflected his deep concern about the safety and skills of his student firefighters.

He is survived by his wife Karen Tappe of Knoxville; Sharon Tappe and his daughters Kathleen Thomas and Michelle Woodberry, all of Stamford; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers Stephen Tappe of Westcliffe, Colorado, and Joseph Tappe of Chiang Mai, Thailand; and sister Anne Daniells of San Diego, California.

A wake is scheduled for Friday, April 25, at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and a 12:00 p.m. funeral Mass will be held on April 26 at St. Leo’s Parish, both in Stamford. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.