Dr. Kenneth F. Rupp

Kenneth Francis Rupp, M.D., age 80, of Streetsboro, Ohio, died Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, Ohio. He was born January 16, 1931 in Randolph, Ohio to Francis Rupp and Estella Miller Rupp. Kenneth graduated from Randolph High School and attended Kent State University, where he met his future wife, Evelyn Marshall.He also attended Loyola University in Chicago and married Evelyn shortly after, in July, 1954. Kenneth went on to graduate from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska in 1957. He completed post-graduate training at D.C. General Hospital in Washington, D.C. and Cook County Hospital in Chicago. The Rupps moved to Streetsboro, Ohio, where he opened a family practice. Dr. Rupp was one of the first physicians in Streetsboro and practiced medicine there 41 years, from 1958 to 1999. He and Evelyn were very proud to raise their 10 children in Streetsboro. His surviving children include Peggy (Paul) Barlett of Overland Park, Kansas, Robert (Nancy) Rupp of Columbus, Ohio, Monica (Kenneth)Barlett of Stow, Ohio, Joan Rupp of Canton, Ohio, Rebecca (Chuck) Pike of Aztec, New Mexico, Trish Breedlove of Canton, Ohio, John (Erin) Rupp of Shawnee, Kansas, Paul (Laura) Rupp of Cincinnati, Ohio, David (Renee) Rupp of Delaware, Ohio and Kay (Patrick) Bachmann of Loveland, Ohio. In addition, Kenneth leaves behind 26 grandchildren and his sister, Patricia Vance, of Uniontown. Besides his family practice, Dr.Rupp worked with the Portage County Health Department for 43 years, serving as health commissioner for 28 of those years.Dr. Rupp was very active in the community and was in the following organizations: Lion’s Club (former president and member of the Governor’s Cabinet), member of the Mental Health Board, Board of Directors of Meals On Wheels, Boy Scout Troop Counselor, Volunteer Fireman and first aid instructor, originator of the County Underwater Recovery Team, member of the Board of Alpha Enterprises (provides workshops for the handicapped), charter member of the Streetsboro Chamber of Commerce, member of Child Cluster of Portage County (an organization coordinating youth services), president of the Ohio Association of Health Commissioners, Clinical Faculty at Northeast Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Medical Director of the Portage County Chapter of The American Red Cross, Streetsboro Health Committee, and was president of the Portage County Medical Society. Dr. Rupp was also active in the area school systems as a member of the following committees: Streetsboro Board of Education (served as president), Portage County School Advisory Council, the Drug Task Force for Aurora City Schools, and the Streetsboro Concerned Citizens for Education (treasurer). He taught first aid to the bus drivers, lectured at seminars for coaches concerning sports injuries, taught sex education classes in the Portage County high schools, served as Randolph and Aurora schools’ football team physician for five years and was team physician for Streetsboro High School for 35 years. The Streetsboro High School Varsity “S” Award was named for him and, in 2002, Streetsboro High School dedicated and named the new science wing after him. Dr. Rupp was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Streetsboro and served on many committees for the church as well, including: parish council, the church finance committee, the Pre-Cana team as a lecturer, and he also served as a Eucharistic minister. In the Knights of Columbus, he was a 4th Degree Knight, a Faithful Navigator, and was treasurer of the Monsignor Lavelle Council. Dr. Rupp also received numerous awards throughout his life, including: Who’s Who in the Midwest, Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen Award, Democratic Club Community Service Award, Ohio High School Athletic Association Outstanding Team Physician, Man of the Year Award, Honorary Grand Marshall for the Streetsboro Homecoming Parade, Streetsboro Honored Community Member, Streetsboro Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award, Senior Citizen Hall of Fame Award, Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award, Association of Ohio Health Commissioners Lifetime Membership Award, Award from the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians for “50 Years as a Physician”, and in 2010 he received the Robinson Memorial Distinguished Service Award. Besides his professional life and service activities in the community, Dr. Rupp was an avid outdoorsman and family man. He and his wife enjoyed backpacking and hiking together on many of Ohio’s roads. They were founders and members of the Portage Trail Walkers. One of Kenneth’s proudest accomplishments was when he and Evelyn hiked from their home in Streetsboro, Ohio, to the Atlantic Ocean, 100 miles at a time. They began their hike west to the Pacific Ocean and made it as far as  Missouri. Their journey was cut short by Evelyn’s passing in 2006. In addition to hiking, Kenneth loved camping, canoeing and fishing, and took yearly trips with his children to the Canadian Bush, teaching them all along the way. In his later years, Dr. Rupp could often be found in his woodworking shop, joyfully fulfilling the wish lists of his children and grandchildren. Kenneth was preceded in death by his loving wife, Evelyn, his parents, his sister, Phyllis Mullett and his foster brother, Robert Lederle. Friends will be received Wednesday, December 28, 2011 from 12-3pm & 5-8pm at Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Home Streetsboro Chapel. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11am Thursday, December 29, 2011 at St. Joan of Arc Church in Streetsboro with Father Pat Ferraro officiating. (Please meet at church) Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Randolph, Ohio. The family requests memorials to: AutismSpeaks.org and Creighton University. His legacy lives on in his children and grandchildren. He will forever be in our hearts.

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