BOMBER MEMORIAL
BERNARD EUGENE "GENE" RUPPERT ~ Class of 1965
December 3, 1946 - January 15, 2022
From Gene's sister, Marie Ruppert Hartman ('63):
"Gene Ruppert died peacefully in his sleep in Seattle early January 15, 2022. He was born December 3, 1946, in Renton, WA the second of six children of Bernard and Dora Dungan Ruppert.
He spent his early years growing up on the family farm between West Richland and Benton City off what is now Ruppert Road in the shadow of Red Mountain. When he was in the 6th grade the family moved into Richland where he attended Lewis & Clark Grade School, Carmichael Junior High School and graduated with the Class of 1965 from Richland's Columbia High School.
Gene married Diana Von Olnhausen ('67), and they were together for more than 30 years before divorcing.
He joined the U. S. Marine Corps and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam.
Gene worked for Pac Car in the California Bay area after his discharge and then transferred to Seattle. He worked for the University of Washington and then for Boeing as a computer system analyst until his retirement.
He moved to Ocean Shores and traveled twice to China with friends he made at the Chinese restaurant in Ocean Shores spending several months with the local families. When his sister moved back to Richland, Gene left Ocean Shores to return to the Tri-Cities, buying a place in West Richland.
As his health declined his kids made the choice to move him back to the west side to be near them. He had a nice, assisted living apartment on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle where he lived until his passing.
He leaves behind his son, John; daughter, Ellen; three grandchildren; three sisters: Marie Ruppert Hartman ('63), Kathy Ruppert Johnson ('71 Renton High School), Rainy Ruppert Cottrell ('74 Renton High School); and his brother, John Ruppert ('67).
His sister, Joanne Ruppert Crook ('66 honorary), father and mother predeceased him.
There will be no services at his request."
Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).