LAGRANGEVILLE – Paul Nepf, of LaGrangeville, died on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at The Pines Nursing Home in Poughkeepsie after a long struggle with Parkinsons. He was 82.

Son of the late Pauline Nikolasch and Joseph Nepf. Born in New York City on October 19th, 1935, grew up in Bayside, Queens County, attended Public School #31 and Brooklyn Technical High School, commuting over two hours, by bus and subway each day. Paul went on to study at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, graduating with an Engineering degree in in 1956. He joined I.B.M. in Poughkeepsie where he became a Manager, taking early retirement in 1985. Paul became a charter member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in 1956. Worship services were held in Van Wyck Hall, in Fishkill, N.Y. He served as church organist and choir director for the 40 years, following the congregation to their new quarters on Route 55, where he served on the Board of Elders and as Chairman of the Music Committee.

Paul cherished the wooded hills and open fields of Dutchess County, his adopted and lifelong home. He lived on top of a hill in LaGrangeville, surrounded by deep blue skies and dairy farms. He loved his country life, recorded the return of the Redwinged Blackbird; delighted in the Bob-O-Link’s antics and bright song in his large unkempt meadow. There he enjoyed an unbroken view with countless sunsets across Dutchess County to the Catskill Mountains receding beyond the Hudson River.

Music was the passion of Paul’s life. He regularly led friends on excursions to performances at Tanglewood, Glimmerglas, and elsewhere throughout the region. He was a member of the American Guild of Organists, Mid-Hudson Region, and served in the capacity of Corresponding Secretary.

Paul was claimed by an extended family of friends. This gentle man never raised his voice in anger, always forgiving and encouraging to others. Paul was the first to open a conversation among strangers, resulting in many new & lasting friendships. He travelled widely, maintaining personal ties with family in Germany and Austria and friends throughout the United States and Mexico. Paul served as a volunteer at the Vassar Brothers Medical Center, in Poughkeepsie, receiving their 20 year Service Award in 2012.
Paul is survived by his brother, Hans; sister-in-law Rita; nephew, Hans; nieces, Ruthe, Heidi and Barbara; 7 grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Each is a source of great pride and dear to his heart.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 22nd at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 23rd at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1400 Route 52, Fishkill. Rev. John Young will officiate. Interment will follow at Flushing Cemetery, 163-06 46th Avenue, Flushing (Queens).

For directions and online tributes, you can visit Paul’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.