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ROTTERDAM
‘Voice of Schalmont’ retiring after 37 years
Beloved English teacher never took a sick day
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net.

For Rick Pepe, working nearly four decades at a job without taking a single sick day isn’t that big of a deal.
The Schalmont High School English teacher credits his impressive string of illness-free days at the district to the good genes and good work habits he inherited from his parents. Besides, it’s a bit diffi cult for him to call in sick to work when he doesn’t consider his job work in the first place.
    “Ever since kindergarten, I’ve never gotten up to go to work,” he said. “I’ve always gotten up to go to school.”
    Pepe’s streak will end at the district this month, but not because he plans on skipping a day at work. After 37 years with the district, the beloved educator who some call the “voice of Schalmont”’ will retire at the end of June.
    “I’m still finding every day as interesting and rewarding as it was in the beginning,” he said.
    The district honored Pepe this week by conferring Schalmont’s first-ever honorary degree to him. In doing so, they commended him for his wide breadth of service to Schalmont, including 20 years as a Student Council adviser and the adviser to the class of 1976.
    In sports, Pepe coached the varsity girls’ basketball team for 15 years and the varsity girls’ softball team for 36 years. His coaching accolades include a girls’ basketball sectional championship, two Colonial Council softball championships and six Colonial Council girls’ basketball championships.
    The seemingly ubiquitous Pepe also served as the de facto Schalmont DJ during dozens school dances and the announcer for the district’s varsity football games. He’s typically the master-of-ceremonies for school pep rallies and operates the clock at high school basketball games. .............>>>>..................>>>>.............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar01000

For those students that made the commitment and listened to his teachings,  followed his leadership
left his care ready to communicate and work with anyone in the world regardless of language and nationality.

we shall remember him as "ACE"

Mr.Pepe was a cool guy. I hope enjoys his retirement

I learned a lot from him ... enjoy your retirement Mr Pepe

I remember in 1986 in Mr. Pepe's English class he would have bonus words for extra points on his spelling tests. One week the word
was "mortgage" and another time it was "bankruptcy". I think Mr. Pepe was psychic, which might explain how he was able to retire.

Quoted from Schalmont1986

I remember in 1986 in Mr. Pepe's English class he would have bonus words for extra points on his spelling tests. One week the word
was "mortgage" and another time it was "bankruptcy". I think Mr. Pepe was psychic, which might explain how he was able to retire.

do you still have 'A Pair of Cheap Sunglasses' from the 80's? I remember Mr.Pepe....although I was not in one of his classes

Quoted from senders

do you still have 'A Pair of Cheap Sunglasses' from the 80's? I remember Mr.Pepe....although I was not in one of his classes

Nah, I graduated to designer sunglasses  

Quoted from Schalmont1986

Nah, I graduated to designer sunglasses  

cool