EAST THETFORD — A 24-year-old man who died last week is being remembered as a hard worker who was dedicated to Thetford Academy’s baseball team, even after he graduated.
Hanover police officers found Ryan Pepe, an East Thetford resident, dead in his car at Wilson’s Landing off Lyme Road in Hanover on Dec. 30. The officers were responding to a missing person’s report that had been issued for Pepe.
Hanover Police Capt. Michael G. Schibuola confirmed on Tuesday that it was Pepe who officers found and said the investigation into his death is still open, pending an autopsy report that is expected to be completed within the next six weeks by the New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner.
Pepe turned 24 just two days prior to his death, according to his obituary. He died by suicide, his father, Michael, confirmed when reached by phone Tuesday, declining to comment further at this time.
During his time in the Thetford school system, Pepe was a soccer team captain, played trombone and was a member of the rock climbing club, according to his obituary.
But he was best known for his contributions to Thetford Academy’s baseball team as both a player and as an assistant coach.
He played for TA’s baseball team, primarily second base, from 2017 through 2020, said his former coach Phil Chaput.
“He was one of the hardest working players I ever had,” Chaput said in a Tuesday phone interview.
In 2019, during his junior year, Pepe was one of the team’s captains. He was a quiet teenager and led by example, letting his hard work stand as an example to his teammates, Chaput said.
That season, Pepe helped lead the team to the Division III semi-finals. They had aspirations of making it to the finals the following year, but the COVID-19 pandemic cut the 2020 season short and prevented those aspirations from being realized.
But Pepe stuck with Thetford baseball even after he graduated in 2020. In 2023, while attending the University of Vermont, Pepe was an assistant coach for the squad that brought home the state title, the school’s first since 1986.
“Ryan had a love for baseball that not a lot of kids had,” Chaput said.
Pepe paid close attention to the players and would often stay long after practice to help them with specific skills, such as hitting or fielding.
“He was always willing to take extra time to help players out,” Chaput said.
The championship victory was especially significant because Pepe’s younger brother, Nolan, was part of the team, Chaput said.
After high school, Pepe also played summer baseball for American Legion Post 84 in White River Junction.
“He was an important piece in a lot of people’s lives and gave back to the community, was just a good person to be around,” he said.
Pepe earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from UVM in 2023 and started working at Novo Nordisk in West Lebanon afterward, according to his obituary.
If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline via text or phone at 988, or via chat at 988lifeline.org.