Edgewater’s Renaissance man

EDGEWATER – “When a man retires, it’s a very difficult adjustment for the woman, the wife,” Judi Tepe said. “It’s all of a sudden, he’s moving into your space.”

Make no mistake, Judi and Vern Tepe are happy together. But, as Judi puts it, “24/7 with even Tom Cruise would be difficult.”

Verne is not the kind of man to sit home and drive his wife crazy, however. Since moving to Edgewater, Tepe has kept occupied in myriad areas both in and outside the community.

After earning a degree in mathematics from the University of Cincinnati, Tepe started his career as a scientific programmer for Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company.

A detailed list of Tepe’s work in information technology would take more room than this paper can afford to give, but highlights include Tepe’s position as vice president of data processing firm Management Horizons and founder and president of consulting firm V.A.T. Inc.

A chameleonic ability to work in a variety of fields is what has turned Tepe into Edgewater’s resident Renaissance man. One such branch of interest for Tepe is real estate, which he cultivated after moving to Edgewater.

As Illinois’ second most populous city, Aurora presents a large pool of potential for Tepe. Along with his contractor partner, Tepe purchases older Aurora homes at relatively low prices then puts work and money into improving them. Once finished, the houses are rented.

“We actually take what is typically the worst house on the block, and by the time we’re through with it, it’s one of the better houses on the block,” Tepe said.

And in this current economy, business has been good; so far, every house but one has been rented before work was completed on it.

“We’ve got a very involved marketing program: put out a sign with a phone number that says ‘for rent,'” Tepe said lightheartedly.

Also, upon moving to Edgewater, Tepe began working with Ambit Energy as an independent consultant, turning on new customers to their lower-cost energy as an alternative to Com Ed and Nicor.

Tepe also uses his skills to help those in need, setting up printers, unfreezing computers, and cleaning up hard drives for fellow Edgewater residents.

Through Edgewater’s Computer Users Club, Tepe teaches residents a variety of technological tricks. The group has covered everything from Microsoft Word basics to the video calling program Skype.

“It’s actually exciting and very, very satisfying to see the number of people who have gotten up on some of these services,” Tepe said.

During tax season, Tepe’s calendar is inked with forms he files for neighbors. He also volunteers at the Gail Borden Public Library, helping low-income Elginites file their taxes free.

When Vern and Judi discuss the library, they take on an audible tone of reverie. Tepe said the first thing he and Judi, an avid reader and member of Edgewater’s book club, did upon moving to Elgin was visit the library.

They found it to house more than just books.

“The library is more than a library, it’s actually the social center or the cultural center for Elgin,” Tepe said.

To Tepe, the library seemed the perfect way to get involved in his community. And so Tepe, who had never entered the political arena, decided to put on a new hat. He entered the race for a seat on the library board during a tumultuous time.

It was 2011, an election year for the Gail Borden Library’s board of trustees. Four of seven seats were up for grabs, and Tepe was in contention for one of them.

Most of the attention, however, was on Randy Hopp, a trustee whose seat was secure until 2013. Though not in the race, Hopp was in the news for domestic battery charges against his elderly parents and was banned from attending the library except for board matters.

Tepe said this drove a wedge between candidates, with some defending Hopp and others calling for his resignation. Tepe was of the latter group, yet he said running as an independent hurt him, despite having won the endorsement of the Daily Herald.

In the end, all four incumbents retook their seats on the board. When asked to speculate, Tepe said if he won a seat on the board, his focus would have been on technology.

Of course, the library elections are not the last page in Tepe’s book. He has continued to stay active (and maintain his wife’s sanity) by remaining involved in the community.

With no previous theatre experience, Tepe assumed the role of producer of an Edgewater variety show. For three years, he worked with the Edgewater Players in crafting shows, the last of which was a variety program featuring 19 acts.

“The people involved just absolutely loved it; they were sad when it was over,” Tepe said.

Add to Tepe’s Edgewater social résumé the pickleball and investment club, his former work on the Lifestyles and social committees, and his wife’s involvement in the book club and Creekside Cookers, and the Tepes appear to be the couple that can’t stand still.

“I think the vibrant people that you see are those that want to learn new things,” he said. “Whether it’s being active in a book club, whether it’s volunteering at a school with kids, [or] whether it’s learning to do things with computers.”

Tepe does finally give one potential sign he may be slowing down. When asked how he plans to top last year’s variety show, he admitted difficulty in coming up with a program.

So he’s taking the year off.

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