ca The Normandy Estate

The Kapral Family Story

The story of the Kapral family is a remarkable one. So remarkable and fascinating that Zdena Kapral wrote and published the epic tale of their lives titled, "Tomorrow Will Be Better" from which most of the following information is drawn. The story tells of a Czech family that endured the trials and brutalities of Hitler's reign in Europe and had the strength and courage to succeed and live the American dream against all odds.

After enduring Hitler's brutal concentration camps during occupation of their homeland, Zdena & Alex Kapral, an industrial chemist, took jobs in India and then Australia. Although the family loved Australia, the country had a weak chemical industry, which left Alex’s career stagnant. He soon recognized the necessity of living in the United States in order to fully realize his career aspirations. Alex, Zdena and daughter Jane left Australia and arrived in the United States May 2. 1957, while daughter Eve remained at University in Sydney. The family settled in Chicago almost penniless.

Although Alex had the opportunity to take a comfortable job, he chose instead a risky, self-employed career as a research chemist. He used his immense talent to develop several new products, some of which never found their way into the marketplace. Others, however, were tremendously successful and are found everywhere in America today. One of his triumphs was a special release agent. When mixed with cement, this agent allowed wooden forms used in pouring concrete to be re-used. This product was used in the construction of the Chicago O'Hare airport. Then, the opportunity he had been looking for arrived in 1963 - The Edgewater Paper Company asked Alex to develop a less-expensive, higher quality, silicone coated paper and film. This led to technology and patent sales to a large multi-national chemical company for a considerable sum of money. This silicone product was designed for the quick release of paper and was first used for Pampers. Today it is used for everything from Christmas stickers to stamps.

Alex was ready to retire when a Wisconsin banker informed him that the financially strained Edgewater Paper Company was for sale. Plans for retirement were put on hold and, against the advice of his wife and accountant, the family relocated to Wisconsin and he took over the company. At first times were tough, but as usual the Kapral’s made the best of the situation and slowly the company began to make progress. Allstate Insurance Company later invested in the renamed Akrosil Company, giving them the capital they needed to dramatically increase profits. In 1975 the company was acquired by the billion dollar corporation Hammermill Paper. The Kapral's then became one of the largest individual stockholders of Hammermill.

Alex and Zdena retired and shared their time with their Lipizzaner horses between their Connecticut and Florida homes. In the early 80’s, health issues caused the Kaprals to seek a drier climate, leading them to the peace and tranquility of the Tanque Verde valley in Tucson, Arizona, and the beginning of the Normandy Estate. Today, daughters Eve and Jane live here in the United States. Eve, with her love of horses and nature, calls Arizona her permanent home. She and her husband own and operate an exquisite western guest ranch in the Dragoon Mountains. Jane, an accomplished Shakespearean actress, lives in Manhattan with her husband and daughter.