Russell J. Peppe
LEWISTON – Russell Peppe, 86, of Lewiston, set sail for that Far Country from which no traveler returns on April 4, 2024.
He was born the eldest son of Michael Peppe Sr. and Lillian (Cooley) Peppe of East Bridgewater, Mass. on Dec. 11, 1937.
He received his basic education in the East Bridgewater schools, graduating from East Bridgewater High School with honors, letters in varsity track and football, and with the prestigious Arian Medal for his many contributions to the school’s music program. He furthered his education at Colby College in Waterville, where he received the Scholar’s Medal in Mathematical Logic and recognition for an undefeated season in wrestling. He continued at Boston University where he received two Masters’ degrees majoring in the fields of social ethics, moral philosophy, and theology, and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. One of the highlights of his stay in beautiful Scotland was the opportunity to play the drums for a set of songs by noted jazz singer, Sarah Vaughan.
Following his education, he settled in Maine to live and serve United Methodist churches in Cape Porpoise, Gorham, Auburn, Bangor, New Sharon, Farmington, and Bath before retiring in Lewiston. He was happy to have been named Pastor Emeritus of Auburn UMC in recognition of an association of fifty years with the parish. He taught as adjunct faculty at Boston University and at the University of Maine, Portland-Gorham (now the University of Southern Maine), and enjoyed hiking, camping, reading, writing, spook movies, and photography. He kept an extensive collection of Nikon cameras, both digital and film, and enjoyed most using his film cameras to create the black and white negatives that he then developed and printed on siler gelatin paper in his darkrooms, portraits of friends and family being his preferred subjects.
He was predeceased by his mother and father; as well as his sister Diane, an accomplished psychiatric nurse; and his son Brian.
He is survived by his brothers Richard and Michael Jr., his cousins Judy and Jeannie; his children, Eric and his wife Helen, Lisa and her partner Rick, Brian’s partner Hannah; and his seven grand and step-grandchildren, Alexander and his wife Kati, Robyn and her partner Kit, Michael, Joey, Morgan, Kayla, and Lily (also known as Alex); and by many wonderful friends.
His ashes will be scattered on a river in Maine to then be carried on its current to the sea and beyond.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Auburn United Methodist Church, 439 Park Ave., Auburn, on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of Aable Cremation Service, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared, at http://www.aablecremationservice.com.
In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made in Russell’s name to the:
Dempsey Center at https://support.dempseycenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=527 or:
United Methodist Church of Auburn
439 Park Ave.
Auburn, ME 04210
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