Hugh John Ripper

To the family of Hugh Ripper I offer my sincere condolences for your loss. He was by far the best and most respected teacher I ever had (Vo-Ag 1958-62) and he had the greatest positive influence on me than anyone to date. My career path kept me out of agriculture but in 'retirement' I have gone back to (small scale) farming and I'm sure the "Wize old Owl" would approve. He remains a vivid, fond memory to me and I am sure he will be to you.

God bless Hugh Ripper and his Family!

Dear Kay, John and Debbie,
Your dad and our longtime neighbor Hugh found my house, not easily done pre-GPS, one beautiful Vermont day when he was in town looking for a classmate, Lucien Paquette. He had attended his UVM reunion and had missed Lucien so was trying to look him up in Middlebury. My husband Bob and I were sawing wood of a tree that had come down in the middle of the driveway, and this friendly face approached and broke into that famous broad smile when we recognized each...

Mr. Ripper was the best teacher I ever had. I graduated from Woodbury High School in 1961. Virtually everything I did in high school I owe to his encouragement and persistent prodding - from joining the national honor society to running for student council and state FFA officer. He gave a shy teenager from a poor family hope and confidence to go on to college and figure out how to suceed at whatever he tried. I have thought of Mr. Ripper's words through years and continue to do so today. ...

Hugh was a wonderful neighbor to us in Roxbury. I remember him from my earliest childhood memories on South Street. He was always chipper and positive, evidently the secret to a long and happy life!
God bless your family and may you keep his spirit alive in your hearts.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this very sad time. Jim and I were in the same class all the way through school. I am only sorry that I am not in Connecticut to attend the funeral.