Obituary: The Rev. Robert B. Appleyard, Jr (Oct 4, 1947 – July 3, 2022)
Retired Episcopal Minister Robert ("Bob") Bracewell Appleyard, Jr, died on July 3, 2022 in Acton, ME after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2021. He was the rector of St. Barnabas Church in Falmouth, MA and St. Michael's Church in Milton, MA. He began his career at Fox Chapel Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania, after graduating from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA and the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA in 1972.
Bob was born in New York, NY on October 4, 1947, the son of Bishop Robert Bracewell Appleyard and Katharine Gelbach Appleyard. He graduated from Brunswick School in Greenwich, CT in 1965.
Bob was a loving man whose ever present kindness had an immeasurable impact on those who crossed his path, whether they were his family, his parishioners or a stranger on the street who needed help. He was a champion for the equal rights of women in the clergy and was one of the first in the Episcopal Church to endorse gay marriage.
His love was most evident in his relationship with his wife Deborah ("Debby"), who he met at Allegheny College and married in 1970, and their son Benjamin ("Ben"). Bob and Debby loved to spend time at their vacation home in Acton, where they later retired in 2007. Some of their happiest moments were spent working on that farmhouse, including countless hours renovating the old barn in their backyard.
In addition to his wife and son, Bob is survived by his four grandchildren, his daughter-in-law Deborah Van Allen Appleyard, Ben's partner Alexandra Pastor, and Bob's siblings: the Rev. Jonathan A. Appleyard, Jane Appleyard Roel and the Rev. Daniel S. Appleyard.
A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 4 at St. Barnabas Church on Main Street in Falmouth, MA.
In the months leading up to his death, Bob and Debby appreciated the outreach from friends who they had lost contact with over the years. In lieu of flowers, they ask that you take a moment to re-connect with someone in your life who you haven't spoken to recently.