Obituary

Died Wednesday, January 26, 2011, at his residence with his loving family at his side. He was born October 4, 1946, in Oldenburg, Germany, the son of Oskars and Anna (Baldonis) Liepa. The Lutheran Welfare Society sponsored the immigration of Dr. Liepa and his family to the United States in December of 1949. On July 7, 1979, he married Candice Cecelia Harr in Huxley, Iowa, and she survives. Dr. Liepa retired from the United States Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1993, after 22 years of service. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, and his doctorate from Iowa State University. Dr. Liepa completed a National Institute of Health Fellowship at the University of Texas, Health Science Center. Dr. Liepa was a professor of Nutrition at Eastern Michigan University and former Department Head. Some of Dr. Liepa’s many professional achievements include being named a Fellow of both the American College of Nutrition and American Oil Chemists’ Society and a Diplomate of the American Board of Nutrition. He returned to his parents’ birthplace as a Senior Fulbright Scholar in Riga, Latvia. Dr. Liepa’s research interests included the study of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins and how they impact chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. He was also interested in the impact of sleep on weight and health. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ypsilanti and a member of the Forum Club in Ypsilanti. Besides his wife, survivors include two daughters, Arianne Liepa and fiancé Ronnie Allan of Pennsylvania, and Marisa Liepa and fiancé Bradley Steele of Tennessee; two brothers, Marty Liepa and John (Dianne) Liepa; one sister, Edie (Bill) Stebbins, all of Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Tal Liepa. Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held Monday, January 31, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Ypsilanti with Rev. Keith Geiselman officiating. Presentation of the flag by the Washtenaw County Veterans Honor Guard will follow. Interment will be in the Latvian Memorial Park in the Catskills. Contributions in his memory may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Ypsilanti. Envelopes will be available at the church on Monday where the family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Please sign his Guest Book at janowiakfuneralhome.com.