Thomas J. Rappel, 64, of Glenview, a retired executive of Bell & Howell Corp., died of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Tuesday in Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview after being diagnosed with the neuromuscular illness about 2 1/2 years ago. “He was so afraid that he’d be completely dependent on someone,” said his wife, Jeanne. “(But) he just kept going on. I think he was a very godly man and he felt God had a plan for him.” Mr. Rappel was a longtime resident of Northfield before moving to Glenview two years ago. He received a bachelor of science degree from the College of the Holy Cross and went to work for Bell & Howell as a trainee in sales. He worked his way to vice president of the company’s international division, moving to Japan for five years in the 1970s to become chairman of Bell & Howell Japan. He retired from the company after more than 30 years of service. “He was a very honest man,” his wife said. Other survivors include two daughters, Suzanne Costello and Kathleen Kline; a son, Daniel; a brother, Robert; a sister, Margaret Collins; and two grandchildren. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 1962 Old Willow Rd., Northfield.
