Ilmars Liepins

Ilmars "Chico" Liepins, 84, passed away on July 30, 2026, in Meadville, PA. He was born May 17, 1942, in Liepāja, Latvia, to Viktors and Zelma Liepins, and was the devoted husband of the late Cynthia Louise Tracy Liepins, who preceded him in death in 2013.

Chico attended multiple schools, including the University of Cincinnati. He went on to teach for many years in the Meadville high school, where his deadpan humor became something of a legend — he had a gift for keeping a perfectly straight face while cracking a joke, chuckling quietly to himself the whole time.

He loved classical music and never missed a chance to delight friends by lighting real candles — real flame and all — on his Christmas tree, a nod to his Latvian roots. He kept that heritage alive through the traditional foods he cooked and shared, and passed along his love of French by teaching the language at the high school. Chico founded Meadville's soccer club and could just as often be found at a local bar, beer in hand, holding court with a story.

His interests ran wide: teaching French, soccer, fishing, road biking, traveling, woodworking – framing and construction, and his membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

He is survived by his nephew, Mark Oyars Liepins; his nieces, Sonia Liepins Merrell and Tamara Jennifer Spencer, along with their children and grandchildren; and first cousin once removed, Inese Silina; his Latvian cousins Janis Silins, Karlis Cecins, and Valdis Cecins, along with their children.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cynthia Louise Tracy Liepins; his brother, Oyars Liepins; his sister-in-law, Brunhilde Liepins; his mother, Zelma Pumpurs; and his father, Viktors Liepins.

Following cremation, Chico will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife in Greendale Cemetery.

A celebration of life for Ilmars “Chico” Liepins will be held Saturday, August 22nd at 3pm at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club 429 located at 930 N Main Street Extension, Meadville, PA 16335. Arrangements have been entrusted to ROSE AND WAID FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, INC., 581 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE.

The family suggests memorials be made to:The American Latvian Association (ALA) / alausa.org / https://alausa.org/en/participate/donate-to-ala/Humane society https://www.cchspets.org/howyoucanhelp.html

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rosefh.com.