Bernard Rupp's Obituary
Bernard “Bernie” Rupp, 84, of Tampa, FL, passed away on May 11, 2024. He was born to Conrad and Zita Rupp on March 6, 1940, in Hays, Kansas, the sixth of nine children. He graduated from Rockhurst University in 1962 with a degree in Business Administration. He enjoyed a long career with the Oscar Mayer sales force, from 1966 until his retirement as a sales manager in 1996. Bernie married the love of his life, Dottie, on September 5, 1964. The couple have three sons, Jeffrey, Gregory, and Christopher and were blessed with three grandchildren, Julia, Lucas, and Aubrey. Bernie’s career with Oscar Mayer kept the family on the move, relocating around the country 11 times over the years before they finally settled in Tampa in 1985.
Bernie was warm, kind, fun, generous, humble, always optimistic, fair, and principled. He earned the respect of everyone he encountered. He was active at St. Timothy Church and was an avid sports fan, enjoying all sports at both the collegiate and professional levels. A former high school athlete himself, he continued to be a great competitor in sports as an adult, playing golf, tennis, and pickleball. In quieter times, he loved to read and play cards with his friends. Most of all, he loved spending time with the people who were dear to him. He will be remembered as the ultimate family man, not just with his immediate family, but with his extended family and friends as well. He had great love for his fellow colleagues at Oscar Mayer where he spent most of his career in sales and marketing, considering them his second family.
Bernie is survived by his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Dottie Rupp; his sons Jeffrey Rupp, Gregory Rupp (Tina), and Christopher Rupp (Jennifer); his grandchildren Julia Rupp, Lucas Rupp, and Aubrey Rupp; his brothers Fred Rupp (Alicia) and Larry Rupp (Marq); his sisters Connie Wallace, Marlene McGuire, and Mary McNamara; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins; and many very dear friends who were like family to him. He was preceded in death by his parents Conrad and Zita Rupp and his siblings Shirley Rupp (Merf), Ron Rupp, and Stan Rupp.
Visitation will be held June 7, 2024, from 10-11 AM at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road, Lutz, FL and the Christian Burial Mass will be at 11 AM. A reception will be held immediately following the service in the Parish Center.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Bernie’s honor to St. Vincent de Paul at St. Timothy Church.
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