Robert E. Apel

Robert Emil "Bob" Apel, a pioneer in the use of computers in the mortgage banking industry died April 10, 2015, in Oklahoma City following a lengthy illness. He was 82. First and foremost a devoted Catholic and family man, Apel is survived by his wife of 62 years, Suzie (Keefe) Apel, his daughter Susan Rosenhamer and his sons, James, Thomas and Christopher. He is also survived by his brothers Harry and John and sister Elizabeth, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Maxwell Apel, his mother, Rose (Schwartz) Apel and his sister Rosemary Phillips. Apel was born October 10, 1932, in Oklahoma City. As a nine-year-old, he went to work to help support his mother and four siblings when his father died in 1942. He was never happier than when carrying his own weight and silently helping bear the burdens of all who would allow him to do so. He was a graduate of Central High School and Central State University. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He went to work for American Mortgage Company in Oklahoma City in 1960 and retired from the same company in 1995 after having served as the company's president. He also served a term as the president of the Oklahoma Mortgage Bankers Association. Early in his career, Apel envisioned the value of employing then-infant computer technology to streamline the mortgage business and spearheaded the development of a computer-based servicing system which revolutionized the industry. In 1981 he co-founded Apel & Associates with his son, Tom. Later known as Adfitech, the company quickly became the industry leader in mortgage lending quality control. Apel was an avid woodworker, building much of the cabinetry and furnishings for the family home. In retirement, Apel indulged a lifelong love of aviation by earning his private pilot's license and he continued flying into his later years.