Merz Kenton Peters

I just saw this notice and am saddened to learn of Merz's passing. I had the great honor of working closely with him at the American Stock Exchange when he was writing the factual research reports on new listings, as well as writing the reports on oil companies for our annual conferences. He was the most kind, gentle and thoughtful person and I am thankful to have gotten to know him over those many years. May his memory be a blessing.

Watching the video of Merz´s service was a heartwarming reminder of what it means to live life well and fully. My first image when Craig spoke about joy was of sitting with Merz at the Grand Old Opry and experiencing the joy on Merz´s face as the hall was filled -not with opera or classical-but with country music.

Thank you for livestreaming the service. We can´t imagine a lovelier person than Merz; he radiated goodness out to so many of us. We have many wonderful memories tied to him. He was truly special. Much love to all the family.

When my cousin Nancy married Merz, everyone in my family flew to New York for their wedding I stayed home with a month-old baby and missed the grand event. Years later, Merz and Nancy stopped in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with their three young children on their way to the Kansas covered wagon trip. Our two sons joined Craig, Julie and Cynthia for an overnight sleep in our family room floor. Many more years later, when son Steve moved to NYC, Nancy and Merz would invite us to stay in their apartment when we visited. In recent years, we have had several cousin trips to interesting cities. Merz was always a delight to travel with. You could depend on interesting conversations, a curious mind, and someone who would read every plaque in a museum. Merz' warm smile and thoughtful ways are memories we hold dear.
Barb Mumford

Nearly 20 years ago, the first Champe family cousins' reunion took place in Boston. Prior to that event, Merz and I had an email conversation about the 1930's Buick 4-door convertible the resided in the garage at the farm in Maine. Merz sent me a list of all the things that stood in the way of his driving the Buick in the annual July 4th celebration in Rumford Center. Then, near the end of the cousins' gathering, Merz and I drove up to the farm and worked on the Buick. We succeeded in getting the car to run, but there was some concern about driving it into town and back because it lacked some modern safety devices like seatbelts and turn signals. At the July 4th celebration, Merz gave visitors rides up and down that long driveway at the farm. He and I corresponded occasionally about the Buick after that, and I know he drove it occasionally for the next few years.
Ed Mumford

Merz's optimism, humor, warmth and genuine interest in people made him a beloved member of the Trail. He always had a sailing tip to share and he made a special effort to talk to young people at the Clubhouse, including our kids. He set a great example of how to live life.

Merz was an amazing Scouter and so dedicated to the program. He was always a voice of reason with a kind word on how to move forward with any challenge. We will miss him and his influence.
Greg Peterson

Merz Peters was the best man imaginable. He will be sorely missed. All my condolences to Nancy and his family.

Merz was the kind of person who made you feel special. He always greeted me with a smile and a kind word. He had a welcoming presence that made conversation and spending time together easy. My deepest condolences and biggest hugs go out to Nancy and his family at this time. He will be greatly missed.

We will always fondly remember our interactions with Merz and listening to him recount his amazing life adventures. Merz gave our family's first sailing lesson on Pine Pond in 2019. I have since followed in Merz's footsteps in discovering a passion for sailing and teaching our children to sail. We will remember Merz's spirit, determination, and good sportsmanship as hallmarks of a life well lived.

Heidi and I send condolences to Nancy and the rest of the Peters family. We have lost a wonderful friend. I will be eternally grateful to Merz for introducing me to sailing.

My Favorite memory of Merz is his smile! He and Nancy always had happy smiles everywhere they went @ The Trail Club. We became members in 2016, and enjoyed visiting with Merz and Nancy at the beach, tennis court, clubhouse. They are folks we aspire to! Much Love, Buddy & Gail Crutchfield

Peter Holt
I remember best the will of this wonderful man pressing to learn to sail well enough to catch the rest of the sailors in the race.. He was determined and succeeded.

Deepest condolences to Merz's loved ones. He was a lovely neighbor. His spirit will live on the trails.
Nilda Mesa

The memory of Uncle Merz that formed the foundation of how I feel about him was when he visited us with his family and his and my mother's parents for Easter in 1974. I was 8 and obsessed with baseball at the time. At some point Merz offered to play catch with me. It was a beautiful Spring day, I remember the flowers on the tree you can see to the left of my grandfather in the photo. Before long it started to rain, a nice warm rain but wet nonetheless, so I thought that would be the end of it. Surprisingly to me, Merz was happy to keep on playing. Not your typical "adult" behavior in the eyes of an 8 year old.
He was always kind and thinking of others. He had an optimistic outlook on things that was infectious. I know my mom loved him dearly and he was a great comfort to her in the later years of her life. It was a privilege to get to spend as much time with him and I will cherish his memory.

My favorite memory of Uncle Merz is from when I was 8 years old. Grandmom and Granddad Peters, Merz, Nancy, Julie, Craig and Cynthoa were all over for what must have been Easter dinner. I was crazy about baseball at the time, and Merz offered to play catch with me. I remember it being a beautiful Spring day, with the tree in the picture to the left of Graddad being in bloom. Super fun to play catch with an adult. It started to rain, a nice warm rain, and while I thought that would end the fun Merz wanted to keep.playing like I did, so we did. Not my typical interaction with "adults". He was an exceptionally kind person, he always seemed to view things in a positive light. Bonus points for managing to set up this picture (photo credit on the back from my mom) and having Cynthia in his arms when the shutter clicked. My mom loved him dearly.

My condolences to you, Nancy.
Nita Renfrew

This is sad news indeed. Blessings and love to all of the family, and especially to Nancy who has lost her best friend and love of her life. What a life they have enjoyed! The Austin "clan" was blessed to have been part of Merz and Kennetta´s lives when their father married our mom. It was a slow start, but before long, we enjoyed fond gatherings together, and they only got stronger and stronger as the years went by. I know this is a sad time. Love and hugs to all!! - Valerie

It was my pleasure to call Merz my friend and to serve with him on several committees with the Big Apple District of the Greater New York Councils - Boy Scouts of America. He was a true gentleman. Kind and soft spoken. Very well read, always sharing lots of information. I admired his dedication to Scouting and our youth. May he rest in eternal peace.

A man of great dignity and generosity, I remember him with fondness at The Trail.

Gathered family lobster during past summers, waterfalls near rumford, loved sailboats and lighthouses.. treasured my GodPapa forever Alice W Tuck

I met Merz in Virginia, both of us officers in the Army. We planned our first trip to Europe and went there together in September, 1958. It was a wonderful experience for us. Merz will always be one of my best friends. Love to all the family, my prayers are for you all. Ward Phelps

While I was a teenager and throughout visiting my grandmother on various holidays, I always remember Merz calling my grandmother Kennetta. They would chat for long phone calls and they seemed to share a connection that was indeed very special. It always made me feel happy for them to have that bond.
Another fun memory was going to see the Blue Man Group back in 1994.
It was very clear that Merz was loved and loved his family. I will always remember him as a loving and hard working man. I am very sorry for your loss and sending you love as you grieve.

He was a lovely lovely man.