Colleagues recall librarian’s wit

Nelson “Lance” Reppert will be remembered for his wit, his “amazing range of knowledge” and his poetry, fellow employees said.

Reppert, a reference librarian, would have completed his 33rd year as a library employee next month. He died after a long illness Thursday at University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City, Kan.

“He’ll be greatly missed,” said Bruce Flanders, the library’s director. “People would sometimes ask for him by name because he had a reputation for thoroughness, accuracy, and people enjoyed his wit.”

The library, 707 Vt., will be closed Sunday so employees can attend Reppert’s funeral. It will start at 2:30 p.m. following a visitation at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1245 N.H. He will be buried in a cemetery in Osawatomie, his hometown.

“He was incredibly bright and had an amazing range of knowledge,” assistant library director Sherri Turner said. “He always knew something about everything, which made him a great reference librarian and a great conversationalist.”

Reppert also was noted among library employees as a poet. He often wrote poems for an employee who was retiring or celebrating a birthday, Turner said.

Employees also received gifts from Reppert. If he learned about an employee having a hobby or special interest, he often would buy a related item for them, Turner said.

“Most of the employees and co-workers received some sort of gift from Lance,” Turner said.

Reppert’s physical condition during the past year made it hard for him to move around so he used a scooter at work, Flanders said. He worked until about a month ago, Flanders said.

“A lot of people have been asking here at the library about him, where he was and how he was doing,” Flanders said.