Paul LeBaron Raspe

Paul L. Raspe of Hamden, CT passed away at CT Hospice in Branford. He was the loving husband of Julia Blue Raspe. Last November the two celebrated forty happy years together.
Paul's day job was that of an engineer. In the Greater New Haven area he was best known as an audio archivist. He seriously believed that performers of music should be able to experience and enjoy their own performances as listeners, too. Many of those reading this obituary are or were beneficiaries of that mission. His final recording event was Julia's July recital celebrating 50 years of song.
As a Unitarian Universalist Church member, he was a "doer" – serving in leadership positions, volunteering as a woodworker and carpenter, audio engineer, and worship leader, especially at the Maundy Thursday and Sunday-after-Christmas music services. He designed and gave holiday ornaments to congregants. As one of his fellow church members recalls – "He was our pillar." His handmade wooden chalice lit nearly every worship service and his wood carvings adorn the church building.
Paul and Julia met because of his sharing the love of music and art with her. Their son Jaron (recorder), his wife Marly (keyboard, winds, and strings), and their son Oliver (song, dance, and violin) continue Paul's appreciation and love of music.
Paul's older brother Phillip (predeceased by his wife Carol), their two sons Jeff and Gordon (with Gordon's wife Teresa and their children, Stephanie, Phillip and Victoria), and sister-in-law Ruth Anne Blue, plus extended family and friends, will all miss Paul's gentle humor, kindness, and altruism.
He was a regular donor to many causes. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Neighborhood Music School in New Haven or The American Cancer Society.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of New Haven, 608 Whitney Avenue, New Haven.