Michael Paul Sepe

September 15, 1952 — April 28, 2024

Sedona

Michael Paul Sepe of Sedona died on April 28, 2024 in Banner University Medical
Center in Phoenix, AZ, after a sudden illness. He was 71.
Born September 15, 1952, in Poughkeepsie, MA, he was the son of Cynthia Muller
Sepe and the late Louis Sepe. He grew up in Darien, CT and graduated from Darien
High School. He attended Columbia University, where he studied chemistry and
anthropology, as well as faithfully attending Grateful Dead concerts at the Fillmore East.
After leaving Columbia University, he joined The Stelle Group in rural Illinois, an
intentional community whose vision was to create a more sustainable and
compassionate way of living. There he met his beloved wife Audrey, who had become a
member of The Stelle Group around the same time. They wed on September 3, 1977
and remained happily married for the rest of Michael’s life, relocating to Wisconsin,
where they had their only child, Kristina, in 1985, and then to Sedona, Arizona, in 2004.
It was at Stelle Plastics in 1975 that Michael began developing multiple skills in the
plastics industry, starting with learning all aspects of injection molding processing. This
early experience with hands-on processing, combined with his background in chemistry,
blossomed into a career that spanned nearly fifty years and engaged Michael’s gifts of
scientific discovery, critical thinking, and problem-solving. After Stelle Plastics, Michael
worked as the technical director of Dickten and Masch in Nashotah, WI until 2006. In
addition, he established the company’s first analytical lab. After leaving Dickten and
Masch, he started his own independent consulting business within the plastics industry,
partnering with his wife Audrey, who supported him as accountant and office manager.
His focus was on providing his customers with detailed testing and analysis and
supplying comprehensive reports that offered innovative solutions.
Michael continued to provide consulting services, publish articles, and give
presentations on material selection and failure analysis until the end of his life. He also
taught courses in various capacities, including as part of the American Injection Molding
Institute team, which he joined in 2015. His courses and presentations took him to many
different parts of the country and, indeed, to many countries around the world. His
enthusiasm for traveling and for connecting with other people made him a valuable
contact and friend to those who sought his expertise and advice. Recently, Michael was
acknowledged as a finalist for the 2024 Plastics Hall of Fame.
Michael’s interest in material analysis did not blind him from exploring many other
passions and hobbies. He loved to cook and made delicious dinners for his family a few
times a week, always delighting in finding new ingredients and recipes. His move to
Sedona helped him to discover his love for hiking, and he and his wife Audrey were
members of the Sedona Westerners hiking club for several years, where they became
acquainted with the many trails and vistas around Sedona and even enjoyed a ten-day
hiking excursion in the Swiss Alps. He loved to play board games with his wife and
daughter. (He often lost, but always did so with good grace.) His sense of humor was
one of his greatest assets. Whenever there was a possible “Seinfeld” reference to be
made, Michael could be counted upon to come up with it.
Michael’s illness and death were sudden and shocking to all those who knew him. His
energetic personality and robust good health led his loved ones to expect that he had
many more years of life ahead of him. He remained a faithful Grateful Dead fan even in
his hospital bed, not responding to nurses’ commands yet still capable of tapping his
toes to the beat of “Uncle John’s Band”. His loss leaves a painful absence in the lives
and hearts of those who were privileged to know him.
He is survived by his wife, Audrey, of Sedona, AZ; his daughter, Kristina Sepe; his
mother, Cynthia, of Darien, CT; his siblings Victoria Zebrower (Michael) of Colonia, NJ,
Suzanne Sepe (Richard) of North Haven, CT, Anthony Sepe (Tish) of Chester, VT, and
Melissa Sepe Chepuru (Giri) of Scarsdale, NY. Michael was predeceased by his father
Louis (2020) and his brother Christopher (1989).
A small memorial service and private burial took place on May 3, 2024 at Sedona
Community Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s name to
the Sedona Community Food Bank, P.O. Box 3962, Sedona, AZ 86340.

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Michael Paul Sepe

September 15, 1952 — April 28, 2024

Sedona

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