Among Russian Mennonites, Epp is one of the best known poets and story tellers working in Plautdietsch, alongside
Arnold Dyck and
Jack Thiessen. His accomplishments include publications on the history of Plautdietsch and on its orthography. Epp's name is rendered "Ruben Ap" in Plautdietsch. Epp was educated as a mechanic and became an instructor at a vocational school for mechanics. Later he became the director of a vocational school in
Dawson Creek,
British Columbia. Epp died in
Kelowna,
British Columbia, Canada in 2009. ==Works==