Robert Peppel

Bob was born in Belleville, N.J. on December 10, 1926 to Frank W. Peppel and Elma Ott Peppel. Bob spent carefree childhood days in Belleville, enjoying adventures with his siblings and neighborhood friends; including parent-free outings, such as train trips to the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City. Also in 1939, a highlight was a road trip from New Jersey to Florida with his older brother; which included a tour of the newly-completed Norris Dam and a stay at the Knoxville, TN downtown YMCA-- having no idea that he would wind up moving to Knoxville over 60 years later. During World War II, in 1944, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving until 1946. After attending Pace University in New York, he spent his career in accounting in Lower Manhattan and Newark, N.J. An avid sportsman in his youth, Bob enjoyed tennis, handball, boating and fishing in Barnegat Bay, hunting, and ice skating. Favorite activities were Maine schooner cruises and solo bicycling trips from N.J. to New England and Nova Scotia, staying in youth hostels along the way. On July 20, 1957 Bob married Margaret Fulford Brown Begg at St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Newark, N.J. They settled in Belleville, N.J., then lived in Bloomfield, N.J. where they reared their children, Ailsa and Alan. Bob was devoted to his family; caring for his parents through their elderly years, and spending time with Margaret, their children and spouses, and their grandchild, Nina. A longtime member of Fewsmith Memorial Presbyterian Church in Belleville, Bob served in various lay capacities, including Clerk of Session. Bob was also a member and Past Master of St. John’s Lodge, No. 1, F. & A.M. in New Jersey. An accomplished photographer, Bob made a point of bringing at least one camera on any outing or trip, and artfully composing his images, many of which graced the walls of the family home. Bob treasured his extensive (much to the chagrin of moving men) library of books, which he had either read thoroughly or used for research on a variety of topics, later supplemented by the Internet. He was especially interested in the life and inventions of Thomas Edison; as his grandfather, Fred Ott, was a long-time key assistant to Mr. Edison and starred in the 1894 motion picture, “Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze.” In 2003, Bob and Margaret moved from New Jersey to Knoxville, Tennessee, where they resided at the Buckingham community of Shannondale for 18 years. While living in Buckingham, Bob enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow “Buckies,” participating in the Men’s Luncheon and serving as the Buckingham Community Council Treasurer, then Council President. He was a member of The First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, participating in the James Park Sunday School class, and serving as its president for two terms. Once in Knoxville, Bob remained true to his “if you rest, you rust” motto: continuing to ice skate and taking up hiking in the Smoky Mountains. A very memorable hike was to LeConte Lodge with his son-in-law, Lars—at 85 years of age—where he proudly had his picture taken in front of the Lodge’s “6,593” elevation sign. Bob and his family appreciated the excellent care and big hearts of the Shannondale community staff and chaplains during his stays at the Assisted Living Center, then the Health Care Center. And, he especially enjoyed regularly engaging in the WellPark at Shannondale Wellness exercise program. He was predeceased by Margaret, his wife of 63 years; his parents, Frank W. Peppel and Elma Ott Peppel; his brother, Theodore F. Peppel; and his sister, Elma Marian Peppel. Bob is survived by his children, Ailsa Margaret Peppel Schuller and Alan Edward Peppel; son-in-law, Lars, and daughter-in-law, Nancy; his granddaughter, Nina Alvarez Peppel; and nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service will be held at The First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., with The Rev. Mark Curtis officiating. A burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield, N.J. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary, Knoxville, TN and Van Tassel Funeral Home, Bloomfield, N.J. Memorial contributions may be made to The First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, TN (Music Fund or Flower Guild); or Zoo Knoxville.

Robert Peppel

December 10, 1926 - September 24, 2022