1947 ~ 2026
River Ridge 12th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1244 West Chavez Drive, South Jordan, UtahFriday Mar 13, 2026: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
River Ridge 12th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1244 West Chavez Drive, South Jordan, UtahSaturday Mar 14, 2026: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
River Ridge 12th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1244 West Chavez Drive, South Jordan, UtahSaturday Mar 14, 2026: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Alan Tunis Rappleye, our "Superman," passed away peacefully on Saturday night, March 7, 2026, at the age of 79. He was surrounded by his loving family, holding his sweetheart’s hand until the end. Born January 30, 1947, in Salt Lake City to Horace Naylor Rappleye and Myrtle Hess Rappleye. Growing up in the Canyon Rim area, he was highly involved with many musical opportunities and sang in multiple quartets. He cherished summers visiting family in Kanosh, Utah, and was a proud member of the first graduating class of Skyline High School in 1965.
Alan served a two-and-a-half-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the South American regions of Uruguay, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. This experience fostered a lifelong compassion for others and a fluency in Spanish that allowed him to connect more deeply with many patients throughout his career.
After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Utah in just three years, Alan entered medical school in 1970. His training took him to Torrance, California, for his internship, followed by a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology back at the University of Utah. After medical training, he served for two and a half years in the United States Air Force in Chandler, Arizona, where he delivered an incredible 45 babies each month and cared for countless military families.
Returning to Salt Lake City, Alan established his private practice at Old Farm Obstetrics and Gynecology. Throughout his 48-year career, he never failed to recognize the joy and sacredness of each delivery. Patients valued Dr. Rappleye’s shared excitement with each pregnancy and often expressed gratitude for his warmth and his calm, reassuring presence in the delivery room. Dr. Rappleye was a physician who often stayed at the hospital for his patients even when he wasn't on call.
He was a pioneer in his field, lecturing globally on laser surgery and statewide on robotic surgery. For many years, he was a community educator on a KSL talk show where he would share his knowledge on important medical topics. In the final years of his career, he also served as a hospitalist in Yuma, Arizona, and at Lone Peak Hospital in Draper, Utah, continuing to care for patients and support families until the very end of his professional life. By his retirement at age 79, he had delivered nearly 13,000 babies—a population he lovingly called his “small town.” In addition to his formal medical practice, he was always on call for family, friends, neighbors, or anyone in need of medical assistance or counsel, and he did so willingly and graciously.
Alan married his sweetheart, Arlene Leona Ohlson, on September 16, 1970, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised five children: Chad, Laura, Karen, Melissa, and Julie. He was a doting "Papa" to 17 grandchildren—12 of whom he had the distinct honor of delivering himself. Alan and Arlene were recently blessed with one great-granddaughter.
To Alan, family always came first. Whether gathering for weekly Sunday dinners or vacationing in Newport Beach, San Diego, Hawaii, or Lake Powell, he had a way of making every child and grandchild feel like his "favorite." He loved traveling the world, exploring his European ancestry, and relaxing and scuba diving in tropical locations.
Alan’s life was defined by his unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ. He had a deep love for and trust in the Savior and willingly served wherever he was called. He served faithfully in many capacities, including a counselor in the bishopric, high counselor, gospel doctrine teacher, and 10 years as a dedicated ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple. A natural teacher and disciple, Alan loved nothing more than sharing his testimony and his deep-seated love for the Savior’s teachings with everyone he met.
Alan is survived by his sweetheart, Arlene; his children: Chad (Tiffany) Rappleye, Laura (Scott) Driggs, Karen (Chris) Coleman, Melissa (Tyler) Perry, and Julie (Mike) Murdock; and his siblings: Caralyn (Mike) Skousen, Nola (Dave) Watson, and Kent (Nancy) Rappleye. He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Myrtle Rappleye.
Alan will be remembered for his boundless kindness, his sense of humor, and a rare gift for making everyone he met feel like family. His legacy lives on in the thousands of lives he ushered into this world and in the family he loved so deeply.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 14, at 11:00 a.m. at the River Ridge 12th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1244 West Chavez Drive, South Jordan, Utah).
Viewings will be held at the same location on:
• Friday, March 13: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 14: 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. (prior to the service)
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the University of Utah Heart Center, an organization whose work and exceptional care granted Alan—and his family—many precious extra years together.
https://donate.utah.edu/campaigns/53721/donations/new?designation_id=MD02755-40165
Alan was the absolute best of the best. I miss him so much.
I’ve already missed Rapp terribly since he retired from Old Farm. He is a wonderful, kind, and generous man and was a delightful boss as well. I am so sorry for your loss.
Dearest Arlene, I am so sorry to hear of your sweethearts passing. Dr. Rappley was so very kind to me. I miss you, my friend. Praying for your comfort. At is so wonderful to have the knowledge of the gospel. I love you!
Chris Kofoed
Dr. Rappleye was such a joy to work with! He delivered my childhood best friend and his coworker Dr. Roth delivered me. Who knew I’d grow up to work with the Doctors that delivered me! Amazing man! My deepest condolences to his family.
To Dr Rappeleys family
Thank you for sharing him with our family, he is the reason I’m alive today.
He was amazing and humble, always willing to listen and find a way to help me.
With love and respect
Lynette
I’m so grateful for this amazing man and the care that he gave to me and my babies. He delivered every one of them whether he was on call or not. He was calm and reassuring and empathetic. I think I had as many visits with him in his office as I did in the exam rooms- he was a listening ear and a wealth of knowledge. He was an absolutely amazing Doctor who helped me through so much in my life and I’m so grateful for him. I literally cried when he retired. Sending so much love to his wonderful family. I’m so sorry for this great loss.
I was so sorry to learn of Dr. Rappleye's passing. He was my doctor for many years and my daughter-in-laws as well. He brought 4 of my grandchildren into this world and we loved his kindness, sense of humor, and knowing we were in the best hands possible. We cherish our patient times with him for his encouragement and expertise. We send our condolences to his wife and family; may your memories and the gospel sustain you. Sincerely, Celia A. & Tarina F. Cutler
Arlene we are saddened to hear of the passing of Alan. He was Barbara's doctor for many years. We enjoyed his and your spirit and humor as we often sat next to you in church.
He is your eternal companion and how wonderful it is to know that you will be together in the next life for time and for all eternity. May the Lord bless you with peace as He surround's his loving arms around you at this time
Love Ya
Carl & Barbara Evans
So sorry to hear of Dr Rappleye's passing. He holds a very special place in my heart. I will cherish our many conversations that we had over the years when I would go in for my check ups. RIP Dr. Rappleye. Sending my love and condolences to the family and friends.
Dear family, Alan was in my mother‘s Quartet, “Beverly Jolley Wollschleger”. Alan had quite an influence on my life being around our family quite a bit when I was young - as the “quartet” was quite popular and dear to my mother! So sorry for your loss, and grateful we have Julie in our family now! May God be with you till we meet again!
Sending love to the Rappleye family. Alan was a remarkable doctor and was blessed to have him deliver all of my girls. I also owe my life to him. He was a skilled OB/GYN and surgeon and I am thankful for all he did over the years to bless my little family. Thanks for sharing him with all of us. I will miss seeing him at the family events and pray that you will all feel him near during this time of separation.
We send our love to Dr. Rappleye's family , on this difficult time, we have nice memories of him , especially his smile!!! we will miss you !! Rip!
Arlene- This is crazy. He delivered two of our granddaughters! He's younger than both of us! So sorry to hear this. We remember him as a strength in the 17th and then the renamed Orchard Park Ward. Always had a kind word for everyone. Still miss seeing you both.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He delivered both our daughters and we are eternally grateful for his knowledge and expertise. He was a great doctor and a great teacher! I remember him teaching the Gospel Doctrine class in the ward before I got married and always enjoyed his lessons. He will be missed!
Dr. Rappleye was more than just his name. This man was a true angel. He delivered all 5 of our babies and from the beginning. My first delivery was brought on from a car accident 26 years ago and he stepped in and made sure both me and my daughter were taken care of and was there every step of the way. From that moment, he always held a special place in all of our hearts. I am heart broken to hear of his passing. I am so grateful he was there to help bring my babies into this world. He was a true angel on earth.
I’m so sorry for your loss. He was the greatest OBGYN, he delivered three of my sons and he had a way about him that made you feel safe and genuinely cared for.
Alan and I shared so many memories. He was my medical school partner (guinea Pig) and motor home partner and we shared many patients together. To his dear wife and family, thank you for sharing his time with so many of us. I know he lived his family so much. I’m glad I knew him and hope to meet again and share more adventures.
Dear Rappleye Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Alan was a wonderful person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Cousin Arlene,
I was sorry to hear of Alan’s passing. We grew up together on the same block in the Canyon Rim area. I still remember when he got badly burned as a child (the news sobered all the neighbor kids.) And I remember when his dad was killed in the plane crash, a heartbreaking event. His dad is the one person killed in an accident that I never felt like he was gone. His mother Myrtle was one of my favorite people for her cheerfulness, candy making skill, and the great example she set of a really fine woman.
May you and your family be comforted by Alan’s lifelong example of service and goodness.
Marci Nelson Muench
Boca Raton, Florida
Prayers,Love and hugs for your family. Dr Rappleye was my doctor for many years delivered all three of my children. He was the best doctor kind, caring and professional may his soul rest in Peace.
I am so sad to hear of Dr Rappleye's passing :( He was an amazing OBGYN and man. He had the utmost repect for his patients an amazing bedside manner and was always happy and kind. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
Arlene & Family
Words cannot express how sorry we are for your loss. What a great man! Jeff tells the story about running into Dr. Rappleye when he was going into back surgery and Alan came up to him and told Jeff it was going to be okay but he didn’t know if it would be a boy or a girl. They both played along and laughed. We love and miss you!
Verna & Jeff Askwig
Dr. Rappleye delivered four of our seven children and saved the lives of two of them. We will be eternally grateful to him for his brilliant bedside manner and expertise.
- The Lund’s
Alan and I went to high school together - he was always a good friend and a good person. He'll be missed.
Dr. Rappleye served his mission with my dad. He must have had a wonderful voice as their quartet in the MTC won the competition! He delivered my babies and took exceptional care of me. Saved my life during my last delivery. Went on to perform a sensitive surgery on that baby girl when she was 14 years old. She was so nervous to have a male doctor but his warmth and humor took all that fear away. We loved him and I am so sad to hear that he has passed…and so soon after his well-deserved retirement. Much love to you all ❤️
Allan‘s passing brought a multitude of thoughts and prayers of your enormous loss and overwhelming grief. The unimaginable has happened and your life together here on earth for over 55 years has come to an end. Knowing you’ll be together someday doesn’t negate missing him, not being able to talk, hold each other, interact, and just being together now. A flood of memories fill my heart and yours flashing back to our early years together and so many years after and the eternal bonding we all felt and feel today even more deeply. We’ll get together often and share those memories and cry, hug and eventually laugh together again. We know Alan is so very close in Spirit, and he can feel and know of our deep love and admiration for a great man who lived with such honor, integrity, hard work, commitment to job, undeniably loved the Lord, loved you, Arlene, and his family so deeply, served the Lord and all those around him. What a privilege for having known him. We're all better for having known him! Heaven is so lucky to have him. I love you Arlene so very much. You are my true lasting and eternal friend and sister. I’m here for you Arlene with anything you need, especially love and a never-ending hug, cry, talk or just listen. Call me anytime, any hour, night or day. You’re forever friend, Love you, Mary Cottam.
Dear Arlene, So sorry Alan passed away! May you and your family be blessed and comforted during this hard time! We love you! Thanks for sharing your family!!!
I am devastated to learn of Dr Rappleye's passing. He was one of the most influential people in my life. Not only did he deliver my three children, he helped us navigate infertility challenges in the most caring manner. He had a way of making you feel that you were his only and most important patient. I never felt rushed in his office and he always had a listening ear. He helped me out at one of the most challenging times of my life and I will be forever grateful for his wise and kind words. Godspeed and praying for comfort for his family in losing him so young.
I am so sorry to hear of Dr Rappleye’s death. I was a nurse that worked with him for many years. He was a wonderful doctor and always smiling and so kind. My deepest condolences to the Rappleye family.
I was only a patient for a short time. Dr. Rappleye helped bring our little miracle in the height of covid. We had a bit of a scare during our csection and just his strong and peaceful demeanor and the way he took command of that OR put my mind at ease. If he wasn't scared I wasnt going to be scared either. Our little miracle just turned 5. I am so grateful to Dr Rappleye and his care. Condolences to all.
I recently saw Alan's Obituary in the Deseret News. It brought back so many memories of the years in the Rosecrest Ward.
My heart goes out to the Rappleye family. I'm so grateful for the friendships and memories from that time and I will always remember Alan with kindness.
While it's never easy to lose someone, there is comfort in knowing he is with his Father in Heaven again. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m so sad to hear the passing of Dr Rappleye. He delivered my 3 babies and was always so kind and funny! Prayers to his family.
I am so sorry to hear about Dr Rappleye passing. He was my Dr for many years, he delivered my two daughters. When I was having my first child he was at his daughter’s wedding in Arizona, I started to have complications and he rushed to get to us and did the c-section and made sure my daughter and I were safe and healthy. I was moved to San Antonio after my second baby but I’ll try come every year to have my annual check because there wasn’t any other Dr I rather have. He was a wonderful Dr but absolutely better person.
Sending loves and prayers to his whole family.
Till we meet again .
Love Berenice, Doug , Ashley(Lau) and Laura Johnson
Mike and Caroline Skousen were teen friends of both Maralyn and Dave. Now as friends to Laura and Scott Driggs, we extend our deepest condolences. I wish I had known him. He sounds like a special person just like is daughter.
Dr Rappleye was genuinely the kindest man. Not only was he my doctor, he delivered 5 of my beautiful grandbabies who were all very premature. He will always hold a very special place in my heart & my daughter’s heart. Sending prayers of comfort & love to his sweet family.
So sorry for your loss Allen was a great man I know he loved his family and his wife more than anything he will be missed 🙏🙏
Allen was a great guy and and good father and and good husband to Arleen he lived a good life and will be missed God bless him 🙏