Teppo K. Jokinen

Teppo K. Jokinen passed away on August 6, 2021, surrounded with love from his two children and wife in Everett, Washington. Sadly, Teppo succumbed to complications from a severe stroke and Covid-19.

He is survived by his children, Marko and Anu (Scott), his wife, Liliana, step-daughters, Margarita and Laura, his brother Pertti, his sister Sirkka-Liisa and extended family in Finland.

Teppo was born to Keijo and Salme Jokinen in Hyvinkää, Finland on October 14, 1938. While working in the fields on the family farm, he became fascinated with aviation as he watched airplanes fly overhead. Naturally, he chose the Air Force for his conscript service in Finland.  He would later join Finnair as a mechanic and earn his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.

Because of the declining economic situation in Finland during the 1960’s, Teppo moved to the United States to pursue a better life and improve his English. While living in Connecticut, he met Anni Mirjam.  They married in 1973 and had two children, Marko and Anu. They eventually moved and spent the next 20 years in the Finnish community of Lake Worth, FL. He raised his family there and set up a thriving air conditioning business. He designed and built one of the best saunas in their family home. Teppo sponsored the little league baseball team for his son and would watch all of his games. He was thrilled when Marko shared his enthusiasm for aviation and pursued his degree in Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He shared a love of the ocean with his daughter, Anu, and they would go swimming at Lake Worth Beach almost every Sunday afternoon.

After both children left home for college, he and his wife divorced. Teppo then decided to go after his life’s true purpose – to become an inventor. He was awarded a patent for a unique air conditioning system and continued to submit and invent new ideas until his death. His adult children supported his passion by assisting him with bringing his ideas to market, and several of his inventions received industry awards.

He was married to his second wife, Tika, in 2004 until their divorce in 2009. During their marriage, they spent time with Tika’s family in Brazil, as well as in their home in Florida.

He married his current wife, Liliana, in 2013. They enjoyed spending time with friends, listening to music, and laughing together in their home in Pembroke Pines, FL. Liliana was so thankful for the nearly 10 years they were together. Teppo was her protector and always made her feel safe in his arms.

Teppo always kept busy and had a life full of what he most enjoyed: traveling, spending time with family, music, volunteering with community organizations, and working with his hands.  He continued his joy for aviation by becoming a private pilot in 1983.  That same year, he had the honor of serving as President of the Lake Worth Civitan Club, which helped people with developmental disabilities. He was very proud of the work he accomplished at two other organizations, the Miami sector of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Vital Flight organization. The all-volunteer pilots coordinated air transportation for medical, compassionate, and humanitarian needs. When he was not out on walks or playing golf, he helped plant flowers for the Everett Parks and Recreation’s Forest Park during his time in Washington.

Throughout Teppo’s life, he was blessed with the gift of intellectual curiosity. This led to his original way of viewing the world, with a strong desire for adventure, excitement, continuous learning, helping those in need, and surrounding oneself with nature as much as possible. He did not believe in retirement. Teppo will be proud that he will continue his life’s legacy to be useful and innovative by contributing his body to nourish the forests that he so dearly loved.

We will all miss his great sense of humor and the many funny stories he shared. He was always ready to join you for a good cup of coffee or a scoop (or two!) of ice cream.

We love you, Isi. We love you, Teppo.