It was only natural Bob Kepics would go into public service. That's because the 44-year-old Monongahela City Councilman grew up watching his father, John, serve the borough of New Eagle for four decades as a councilman. While the younger Kepics is seeking his second term on city council - he and Jim Harrison are unopposed for re-election for two council seats - his father is calling it quits in New Eagle after more than 40 years. Bob Kepics said he has plenty of admiration for his father and the job he has done serving his community and its people. 'I have a lot of respect for my father,' said Bob Kepics. 'I learned a lot from my father. I learned to take care of the people in Monongahela, to care for the people of Monongahela, the way he took care of the people of New Eagle and cared for the people of New Eagle.' Mary Kepics said her husband has loved serving the borough for so many years. She believes he has made a positive difference in New Eagle. 'He tried to help people,' said Mary Kepics. 'He was really good for the community. John's a good man.' She added that her husband has been a good councilman because he is honest and has always looked out for the taxpayers. 'He knows every inch of this borough,' she said of her retired-steelworker husband. 'He was a good worker for this borough.' Mary Kepics said she sees a lot of her husband in her son. 'Bob's ambition came from his dad,' she said. 'He loves his dad. He tries to do too much.' John Kepics was born in the Gallatin section of Forward Township, but grew up in New Eagle. One of 17 children to Charles and Mary Kepics, John Kepics played baseball in the borough. He met Mary Kepics at a dance in Bethel Park, and they were married in 1940. Their only son was born in 1956 and has shared much with his father. Like his father did, Bob Kepics repairs televisions, working for Sony. Each also worked for a time in the steel mills. John Kepics first ran for office in 1957 at the encouragement of councilman Ed Leech. He was elected that year and, with the exception of one election, has been returned to office in each every four years for the past 44 years. Jon Kepics, who will turn 86 on July 7, said he is proudest of his efforts to build a boat ramp in the borough. It has brought business and jobs to the community and served in the event of emergencies, he noted. He has also sought state and federal grants to repair borough roads and construct a new sewage plant. He even attended school to learn how to operate a sewage plant in the event of an emergency. But John Kepics said serving the people is what has mattered most to him. And he encouraged anyone considering public service to do so for the people, not for name recognition. 'You have to have remain interested in the community,' said Kepics. 'You have to get involved in things, not run just so you can call yourself a councilman.' In December, John Kepics will receive honors from the U.S. Congress, the state House and Senate and Washington County recognizing his 40 years of public safety. Mary Kepics said she will be glad to have her husband home a little more often. 'I tell him you didn't marry me, you married this borough,' said Mary Kepics with a laugh. Meanwhile, both are proud of their son and his desire to carry on the family tradition of public service.

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