Category: Obituary: R

The Rev. Christopher “Chris” G. Raible died on February 10, 2026, at the age of 92 (1933−2026).

Chris is survived by his wife of 71 years, Patricia Woolven Raible, his three children, John Raible, David Raible, and Anne Raible Beasley, six grandchildren and a growing number of great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may go to Planned Parenthood and/or the American Civil Liberties Union. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence may be emailed to Anne at anicholson410@gmail.com.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website.If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com. 

The Rev. John Rex III died on May 14, 2025, at the age of 84 (1940-2025).

John was born on May 14, 1940, in Syracuse NY. He graduated from Fox Lane School in Bedford NY, in 1958, and earned his Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College in Maine in 1962. After college, he joined the Peace Corps and served in Ethiopia from 1962–1964. This formative experience sparked a lifelong commitment to intercultural understanding and global engagement.

Upon returning to the United States, John earned his Master of Education from the State University at Buffalo NY, in 1968, and began his career teaching high school English in Akron NY.

In 1977, John discovered Unitarian Universalism. Drawn to its core values of reason, compassion, and justice, he became active in the faith community and served as Director of Religious Education at the UU Church of Amherst, Williamsville NY, from 1980–1985. Over time, he felt a deeper sense of calling to the UU ministry and graduated with his Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in 1995. The Rev. Rex was ordained to the UU ministry that same year.

From 1995–1998, he served as an extension minister at the UU Fellowship in Fredericksburg VA. In 1999, he accepted a call from the Buckman Bridge UU Society in Orange Park FL, where he served until 2001. He then served the First UU Congregation of the Palm Beaches in North Palm Beach FL, from 2001–2003. During his ministry there, he strengthened the Religious Education program, launched small group ministry programs, and helped create more coordinated and cohesive worship services. The Rev. Rex’s ministry was particularly impactful in the areas of social justice, religious education, worship, and fostering congregation growth.

The Rev. Rex’s passion for cross-cultural engagement deeply shaped his ministry and his life. He lived, worked, and traveled in various parts of the world, including Ethiopia, Namibia, and India. He was devoted to supporting international Unitarian communities and advancing interfaith efforts across the globe. His thoughtful reflections on Cultural Intelligence were grounded in lived experience and guided by a belief that deeper understanding across lines of difference could transform lives and strengthen communities.

In addition to his ministry and global commitments, John enjoyed the quieter joys in life—watercolor painting, playing bridge, and listening to classical music.

John is survived by his daughter Anne (Tom), and grandchildren Gwen and Drew; his former wife Barbara; nieces Stephanie, Catherine, Mary, and Jennifer; his godson Abhimanyu; and many close friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his son Christopher, and his sisters Clara, Stephanie, and Margaret.

A memorial was held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the UU Church of Amherst, 6320 Main Street, Williamsville NY 14221.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Notes of condolence can be written here.

Lackey Rowe, husband of the Rev. Jean McKnight Rowe, died Dec. 8, 2024 of Alzheimer’s. He was born June 12, 1938 in Union City TN, the son of Lester Lackey Rowe Sr. and Helen Miller Rowe. 

He grew up all over the south—Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky and Mississippi—but always returned to Memphis TN with his dog Red, a present on his 6th birthday, who lived 18 years. An only child, Lackey was given all the things most children think they want, like a pony, cars, attention and support. After a long string of schools, he graduated from Columbia Military Academy in Columbia TN.

After high school, Lackey joined the Marine Corps Reserves for eight years and trained at Parris Island SC. He attended Memphis State University, then attained a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Mississippi. After a stint in the Philippines as a math tutor in the Peace Corps, he returned to Ole Miss and earned a law degree in 1966. He had a reputation for his liberal stance on all matters political and/or controversial in Mississippi.  

That year, he married Andromache Castanis. They had two daughters, Helen and Nicole.

He was admitted to the Mississippi Bar and hired as a staff attorney with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Jackson. As a civil rights lawyer, he tried cases all over the state, assisted by prominent lawyers from across the U.S. who came to work with the Lawyers Committee. Suddenly he was learning law from the best and brightest lawyers in the country and trying cases with their assistance because he was the only one on staff who was licensed to practice law in Mississippi. 

Three days after his first day at work, he was in court challenging the discriminatory jury composition in a criminal case. In 1969, he joined the U.S. Equal Opportunities Commission, working in Memphis and St. Louis. Later employment included real estate and human resources director for Marriott Hotels in New Orleans, Minneapolis and Nashville, and human resources director at The Peabody Hotel in Memphis.

He was divorced in 1991 and in 1994 married Rev. Jean McKnight Rowe. They lived in Memphis until 2005, when they retired to Brevard NC, where he was active in the Unitarian Universalists of Transylvania County, the NAACP, and was an avid writer of letters to newspapers in Memphis and Brevard.

Lackey died with a huge debt of gratitude to lawyers who practiced in Mississippi in the 1960s and who are still fighting for racial equality. If his life stood for anything, it was “equal justice under the law” and abolishing racial discrimination. This is how he wanted to be remembered.

He is survived by his wife Jean; daughter Nicole Rowe Heroux; one granddaughter; one great-granddaughter; stepsons Michael J. Rickard (Julie Jeannine) and Kenneth C. Rickard (Amy Hobby); and two step-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Helen.  

There will be a memorial service at UUs of Transylvania County and another at Neshoba UU Church in Memphis, dates to be determined.

Donations in his memory can be mailed to Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Attn: Development Department, 1500 K Street NW, Suite 900, Washington D.C. 20005.

The Rev. Marjorie Rebmann died on July 4, 2024, at the age of 80 (1944-2024).

Marjorie is survived by her husband Richard Rebmann; her son John Hollovary (Rosaria); daughters Susan Reilly, Camille Panburn, and Araceli Rebmann; stepson Coy Rebmann; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; as well as her brother Brian McConnell (Eileen); and sister Tina Thompson.

A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Friday, August 16, 2024, at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 130 Main St, Montpelier VT 05602.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Unitarian Church of Montpelier. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be written here.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website.If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com. 

The Rev. David O. Rankin died on April 5, 2024, at the age of 86 (1937-2024).

David is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ginger Rankin; his sons: Mark Rankin and Oran Rankin (Sara); grandchildren: Jim Minor Rankin, David Rankin (Jessica), Emily Rankin, Seneca Wainright (Justin); as well as his great-grandchildren: Liam and Clara Wainright.

A private memorial service is being planned.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ginger Minor Rankin Scholarship Endowment. This can be done at the University of Idaho’s web page: Donation Annual Giving. GiveCampus. Please choose Ginger Minor Rankin Scholarship Endowment in the Designation box and enter “In Memory of David O. Rankin” in the In Honor of box. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Ginger Rankin at Gingerrankin@moscow.com or mailed to Ginger Rankin, 312 North Garfield St., Moscow ID 83843.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website. If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.

The Rev. Dr. Shirley Ann Ranck died on May 14, 2023, at the age of 92 (1930-2023).

Shirley is survived by her children, Scott Page, James Page, Christina
Bell, and Laura Van Lue, along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family.

Shirley received her BA degree from Montclair State University (NJ) in 1953 followed by a Masters of Religious Education from Drew University (NJ) in 1958, an MA in Clinical Psychology from City University of New York in 1964, a PhD in Urban School Psychology from Fordham University (NY) in 1976, and a Master of Divinity from the Thomas Starr King School for the Ministry (CA) in 1978.

Shirley worked for many years as a school psychologist in the Livingston NJ public schools. After receiving her PhD, she decided on a career change and became a Unitarian Universalist minister. Most of her career was spent as an interim minister for various Unitarian Universalist congregations around the United States and Canada.

Shirley is the author of the “Cakes for the Queen of Heaven: A Ten Session Course in Feminist Thealogy,” published by the Unitarian Universalist Association. She is also author of the books Cakes for the Queen of Heaven and The Grandmother Galaxy, and a number of articles for various publications. Her last published work was as co-editor of Pagan and Earth-Centered Voices in Unitarian Universalism, to which she contributed three chapters.

She will be interred with her parents in a private ceremony. Memorial donations in Shirley’s name may be made to:

  – the UU Women’s Federation UU Women’s Federation
  <https://www.uuwf.org/Donate>
  – the Malala Fund How to Help Girls? Education
  <https://malala.org/donate?sc=header>

UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry. Notes of condolence can be sent to Laura Van Lue, 122 Parkway, Niles MI
49120.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com. 

The Rev. Hannah Tabitha “Tabby” Rappolt died on May 7, 2023, at the age of 72 (1951-2023). Tabby is survived by her husband George A. Rappolt; her children: Ethan A. A. Rappolt, Pele A. T. “Tara” (Jeffrey) Rivard, and Amanda S.D. (Richard “Chad”) Bergeron; and her grand-children: Rhiannon Rivard, Jasper M. Bergeron, Shayla Rivard, Evelyn G. Bergeron and Elwynn Rivard. She also leaves behind her siblings: Susannah “Sukey” (James) Blake, Seth (Clara) Tuckerman, and Abigail Slayton (Frank Dick) and their children.

Tabby was born on April 15, 1951, in Holyoke MA to Murray Tuckerman and Byrde Tuckerman. The oldest of four children, she spent her first two years in Philadelphia until her parents moved to Troy NY. At the age of seven, the family moved back to Philadelphia where she remained until entering college. When Tabby was eight, her family joined Germantown Unitarian Church. 

Tabby found the church to be a happy and understanding place. She enjoyed Sunday School and teaching Sunday School. The youth group, LRY, was an important aspect of the church in her high school years. As she progressed, she became more attached to the church environment. In her teens, she realized that ministry was the career she was looking for. She wanted to be a Unitarian minister.

In 1973, Tabby graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Biblical Studies from Wellesley College (MA). At Wellesley, she was involved in the Wellesley College Shakespeare Society and was active in college chapel programs, among other activities. Her interest in the ministry and her commitment to Unitarianism remained firm throughout college, after her graduation, and subsequent marriage. In 1977, she received her Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School.

Rev. Rappolt was ordained on April 29, 1979 by the First Church Unitarian, Athol MA, where she served in the parish for four years (1979-1983). She knew the congregation well and was empathetic, compassionate, kind, and understanding to everyone. She did an excellent job of visiting the sick and anyone else in need of the minister for help and counseling. 

From 1984 to 1986, she was minister to the Dighton Community Church MA. From 1987 to 1991, she served the First Parish in Needham MA as a minister of Religious Education. Thereafter, she worked in a variety of secretarial and other office roles, such as a paid alumnae recruiter for Wellesley College, before becoming an office manager in the late 1990s.

Rev. Rappolt was an active member of the First Parish in Needham and provided her service as a worship committee chair (2004-2009). She was also involved in denominational affairs serving as a GA delegate in 1981; was a member of the UUMA; the Ministerial Sisterhood UU; and the UU Women’s Federation. She attended GA in person in 2009 and online in 2021.

In community, Hannah served the Athol/Orange Clergy Association as a member (1978-1984) and President (1979-1983). She was an elected secretary/treasurer (1985) for the Dighton/Taunton Clergy Association and an on-call group chaperone for the Taunton Human Service Associate. She was an outspoken proponent of social justice; after retirement, she volunteered with Metrowest Worker Center. She also volunteered with the Immigration Justice Task Force, as part of First Parish in Needham’s level 2 sanctuary program, and through the UUA’s immigration services program provided housing for a Haitian couple for several months.

In her leisure time, she enjoyed cooking (especially canning, preserving, and winemaking), embroidery, writing poetry, and fencing. She read mysteries, historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy, along with some non-fiction. Gardening and indoor plants were her lifelong minor pursuit. Her musical tastes included a broad range of styles. In recent years she also played Bejeweled, Farmville, and Forge of Empires. She was an active member of Needham’s square dance club and she also greatly enjoyed travel.

A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. on June 3, 2023, at the First Parish in Needham, 23 Dedham Ave, Needham MA 02492.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wellesley College Shakespeare Society, the Metrowest Worker’s Center or to the UUSC. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry. Notes of condolence can be sent to George A. Rappolt, 9 Morgan Drive Unit 105, Natick MA 

The Rev. Dr. Richardson “Dick” Reid died on December 20, 2022, at the age of 91 (1931-2022).

Richardson was born on June 25, 1931, in Fall River MA to Rev. William Richardson Reid and Ada Florance Baker. He was born and brought up a Unitarian. As expected of the son of a minister, Richardson was active in his church attending Sunday School, church services, and all church functions. He spent most of his boyhood accompanying his father on many of his pastoral duties.

In 1954, Richardson received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Colgate University (NY), following which he served on the faculty of the Bristol County Agricultural High School (MA) as an instructor in English (1956–1959). In 1959, he earned his Master of Education in History from Bridgewater State College (MA).

During the latter part of his college years, he realized that he had a deep interest in dealing with people and their relationships with life. He saw the true value of the ministry profession, this time quite apart from the feelings which stemmed from admiration of his father. He then decided to devote his life to the preservation and advancement of the denomination. With this call, he graduated with his Master of Divinity from Crane Theological School, Tufts University (1965). Later in 1967, he received his Doctorate of Divinity from St. Lawrence Theological School (NY).

Rev. Reid served his first ministry at Dighton Community Church (MA) (1955–1958). He brought previously alienated persons into active church relationships and associated very well with the senior members of the church. His tenure of three years was characterized by increased membership and firm confidence.

Subsequently, he was settled minister for First Parish Church in Taunton MA, for six years (1959–1965). He stabilized the church through participation and support for a church program including plans for a church school addition. His ministry also had a strong personal and pastoral component. Thereafter, Rev. Reid served in the parish at the First Parish in Malden, Universalist, (MA, 1965–1974) and then he was a part-time minister at the UU Meeting House of Provincetown MA (1976–1980).

In 1982, he returned to the First Parish Church in Taunton to serve in a temporary ministry for the next three years, moving the church to a relatively strong position, ready to move forward toward a permanent ministry. In 1987, honoring Rev. Reid’s devoted service to the church over the years, the First Parish in Taunton honored him as their minister emeritus.

In addition to his parish ministry, Richardson was active in the Malden Council of Churches, and other ministerial and civic organizations. He served as a Probation Officer for fifteen years in the Orleans District Court. Throughout his career, he was devoted to the support and care of the mentally ill, serving as President of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health and on the National Board as Chairman of the Committee for the Prevention of Mental Illness, and on the State Department of Mental Committee for the de-institutionalization of the mentally ill.

In his leisure time, he enjoyed sailing and shell fishing and most recently his favorite pastime was walking his beloved dog, Missy.

Dick is survived by his wife, Nancy Thacher Reid; his four children: David (Carol), Matthew (Charissa), Katharine Peace, and Peter (Barbara); his eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sons: Steven and Mark, grandson Steven Jr, as well as his sister Betty Jane (Reid) Wheeler.

A celebration of life will be at a future date. You may register
<https://richardsonreidremembrance.yolasite.com/> to receive an email when the date is set for a celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity of one’s own choosing. Notes of condolence can be written here:
<https://www.chapmanfuneral.com/obituaries/Richardson-Reid?obId=27061251#/obituaryInfo>