Roger Mathias Ruppert

Roger Mathias Ruppert passed away on Sunday, August 22, 2010 at the Ruth Hospice in West Allis, WI.
   Roger Mathias Ruppert and his identical twin brother Maurice John were born on the farm to his parents Nicholas and Emma (Ehleringer) Ruppert in Currie, Murray County, MN on March 31, 1926. Roger attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Grade School and High School in Currie, MN; graduating in 1943.  Immediately after HS he entered as an Apprentice Seaman in the V-12 program at St Mary’s College in Winona, MN on July 1, 1943 until Feb. 28, 1944. On March 1, 1944 he was transferred to the US Naval Air Station, MPL, MN until May 31, 1944 for tarmac duty, which was repairing crashed Stinson Aircraft that had been damaged in pilot training. On June 1, 1944 he entered Flight Prep School in Northfield, MN for V-5 Naval Pilot school enrollment. He transferred to V-12 Navy preflight School in Iowa City, Iowa. November 1944 he reentered the V-12 program at St Mary’s College. After one semester the Navy wanted more career officers so Roger selected the NROTC at University of MN in Mpls, MN till May 1946 when he graduated with a Bachelor of Naval Science Degree. He could have been discharged but he selected to spend one year of active sea duty as an Ensign. He was sent to San Francisco, CA Naval Base waiting for assignment. July 1946 he was assigned to the USS Cavalier transport ship to be sent to China for duty.  Arrived August 1946 in Shanghai, China and was assigned duty on the USS George DE 697 as a deck officer. The ship was assigned Air-Sea Rescue Duty.
   He saw duty from August 1946 till April 1947 in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tsingtao, Okinawa, Yokuska Naval Base, Hawaii and US. In May 1947 he was honorably discharged in San Diego, CA. After discharge he worked the summer on his uncle Vince Ehleringer’s farm in Avoca, MN.  Entered the School of Engineering at the U of MN in Sept 1947; graduating with a BS in Mechanical Science December 1949.
Roger met his first wife Eileen Florence Smith at the U of MN and was married on September 1, 1949 at the Basilica of St Mary in Mpls, MN. Eileen died August 27, 1987 in MN.
   Roger started employment at Honeywell in Mpls, MN; working there for 5 years . Changed jobs working for Lear, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI working in the gyro assembly dept. for the Aero Space Program from October 1955 to July 1957. Transferred to Globe Industries in Dayton, Ohio in the gyro assembly and motor manufacturing department; later transferring to the miniature motor department until January 1970. He then transferred to Tube Products Corporation in Troy, Ohio working with automotive exhaust systems; leaving in December 1971. In January 1972 Roger went to work at Avionics, Inc. in South Bend, Indiana as chief engineer until 1974.  On March 1, 1974 he started working for Eaton Corporation in Kenosha, WI as assembly tool design engineer then transferred to Eaton Motor Division in Gladstone, MI on January 1, 1985 as engineer, tool designer, and assembly process supervisor; retiring in Gladstone on June 30, 1990 when the plant was closed and operations moved to Kenosha, WI.
While living in Racine Roger was an active member of St Edward’s Parish serving as Trustee, Lector, Eucharistic Minister and choir member.
   Roger loved to play duplicate bridge and was a Life Member continuing his playing in tournaments in Racine, Phoenix and Mesa, AZ and Escanaba, MI. His prides while living in Racine and Gladstone were his beautiful vegetable gardens. He loved a good game of golf but most of all a good card game.
    Roger married Marie Draeger (nee Gottfredsen) June 25, 1988 at St. Rose Catholic Church, Racine, WI. They lived in Lake Bluff Estates in Gladstone, MI for 18 yrs before moving back to Racine in 2004 joining St. Paul’s Catholic Church.
   Roger was an active member at All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone, MI, Knights of Columbus Brother Felix Council #6667 in Gladstone, MI, a member of the American Legion, Secretary and Treasurer of the Lake Bluff Estates Property Owners Association and member of the Terrace Bluff Golf Course. Roger and Marie enjoyed 12 winters in Village Grove, Mesa, AZ. Roger served as president of the Village Grove Homeowners Association for 2 years. The Rupperts belonged to St Bridget’s Catholic Church in Mesa, AZ.
   Roger was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother Maurice and his wife Alvina; brothers in law Warner Walther, Garrett VandenBos, Thomas Donley. He is survived by wife Marie; two sisters: Mary Jane Walther in Rochester, MN; Clarice Billiet and husband Harold in Shoreview, MN; sister in law Alice Donley, Sturgis, SD; sons R. Michael Ruppert in Dayton, Ohio; Nicholas Ruppert, Milwaukee, WI; Thomas Ruppert and his wife Leslie in Frisco, TX; daughters Eileen in Dayton, Ohio and Anne Ruppert and her husband Kurt Carson in Kenosha, WI. Stepchildren David Draeger and wife Kathleen in Byron Center, MI; Jerome (Jay) Draeger and wife Leda in Charlotte, NC; Steve Draeger and wife Dr. Failin Au in Orinda; CA, Katherine (Kay) Shalbrack and husband David Shalbrack in Racine, nine stepgrandchildren Dan Draeger and wife Jana in Fitchburg, WI; Robert Draeger and wife Tricia in Grand Rapids, MI; Matthew Shalbrack, Winona, MI; Ara, Sara, Annika, and Amy Draeger in Charlotte, NC;  Evan and Clare Au/Draeger in Orinda, CA. Roger will also be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews,  grandnieces, grandnephews and friends.

   Family and friends are invited to meet at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (6400 Spring St) on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at noon for the4 celebration of his life and memorial mass with Rev. William Dietzler officiating.  There will be a visitation in the church on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the mass.  A private interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Seasons Hospice, or WI Parkinson’s Society.

   Many thanks to the staffs and caregivers at Seasons Hospice and Right at Home of Kenosha and Racine for their loving care especially Jaz and Jennifer.