George M. Epple ’65

George M. Epple ’65, of Bedford, Mass.; Dec. 24, following a lengthy illness. After receiving his PhD in anthropology from Brandeis University, he taught at Northeastern University and Boston University and did field work in Trinidad, Grenada, and in small scale fisheries on the northeast coast of the United States. He then taught at Rhode Island College, retiring in 2009 with the title of professor emeritus. For 21 years, he was chair of the anthropology-geography department and received the Patrick J. O’ Regan Award for Distinguished Service in 1999. During his tenure, he served on 121 committees. He was an Eagle Scout, a recipient of the Order of the Arrow lifetime achievement award, and served as the senior assistant scoutmaster for Troop 114 in Bedford. He also coached youth baseball, soccer, and basketball, served on the town’s Capital Expenditure Committee, and was active on the Bedford Cultural Council and with Bedford’s Unitarian Universalist church. He was an avid fisherman, lover of classical, reggae, calypso, and rock and roll music, and a model train enthusiast and member of the North Shore and Providence & Worcester Model Railroad Club. He also enjoyed hiking, kayaking, and gardening. He is survived by his wife, Carol Hung Epple ’65; a son and daughter-in-law; three grandchildren; and a brother.