|
As a 2017-2018 HAP Fellow, Aaron completed his placement with the Minnesota Board on Aging. Aaron chose to work with the aging leaders and stakeholders in his state where he would have a significant and immediate impact on older adults in Minnesota. In his capstone presentation, Aaron said, “The things people do in D.C. make change possible; the things people do at the state and local level make change happen.” Aaron always seemed to find the way to make change happen for as many people as he could, as much as he could.
To the great benefit of the HAPF network, Aaron also served as a mentor, friend, and colleague to many of us. He was gracious with his time, helping many of us apply to the program by having informational phone calls, sharing his application materials, and reviewing ours as we prepared them. For at least one of us, he may have convinced them to stop overthinking their materials, assured them they were a competitive applicant, and to just hit “submit”.
He was also present at alumni events, extending his reach beyond his own cohort to have an impact on those who came before and after him. Whether this was to contribute his knowledge and expertise to the most pressing challenges facing older adults today, to bridge and build connections between other Fellows, or simply to offer words of advice and support to incoming Fellows, Aaron’s presence was warm and welcoming.
Aaron grew up in northern Missouri, in the small town of Milan. Fellow native Missourian T.S. Eliot wrote, “What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” As members of the HAPF network, may we honor Aaron by using our influence to work towards achieving the change he so passionately and diligently worked to achieve himself. Let us use this ending as a starting point to create a healthcare system for well care, improve the lives of older adults, and support and care for one another every chance we get.
Aaron is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Elizabeth (Beth) Leppin, of Rochester, MN; his parents, Steve and Tammy Leppin of Milan, MO; his siblings, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and many more family and friends.
Gifts in Aaron’s memory can be made to the following organizations, which were of significance to Aaron and Beth:
- Arrive Ministries
- Next Chapter Ministries
- Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge
- Christ Community Church’s Mission Fund
- Jeremiah Program
If you are interested in making a gift to the Mayo Clinic in honor of Dr. Aaron Leppin, please visit the Mayo Clinic donation website. On this website, you can note that the donation is a tribute in memory of Dr. Leppin. Then, please click the “Other” designation option and type in “Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery”.
If you would like to share your memories or thoughts about Dr. Leppin, which will be included in his HAPF profile page along with this tribute, please fill out this form.
Sincerely,
Beth Prusaczyk, PhD, MSW (2018-2019 Fellow)
Lauren Bangerter, PhD (2018-2019 Fellow)
The HAPF NPO Team - Harold Pincus, Kathy Pike, Brigitta Spaeth-Rublee, Mica Muir, and Victoria Dolan
| 
