Robert Rupp

Surrounded by his loving family, Robert Wayne Rupp, returned to his father in heaven on Saturday, August 18, 2012, after losing a short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born on July 10, 1948 to Gerald A. and Ruth O. Rupp. Rob resided his entire life in Pocatello, Idaho. He spent his early years in Pocatello attending Green Acres Elementary, Franklin Jr. High and Pocatello High School graduating in 1967. I.S.U. was his University of choice. While enrolled at Poky, his favorite class was choir where he excelled with his beautiful 1st Tenor voice. Robert enjoyed water and snow skiing, baseball, football, swimming and diving and was very talented at them all. He coached his 1st place little league “Coke” team for six years, Gate City Youth Soccer team, the Bandits, for four years and refereed soccer for six years from 1979-85. He and his wife Susie coached Chubbuck Girls softball for 4 years receiving 1st place for three of those years.

Robert was employed beginning at the age of 14 years at Fred Kelly's restaurant where he worked before and after school cutting buckets of fries and onions and downing a lot of cokes. He went to work at Frazier's Market when he was 15, learning the grocery business and was a faithful employee there for five years. Troy Parisean Laundry provided a part-time job during high school with a pay check larger enough to cover his gas money each week. His longest place of employment was for Union Pacific Railroad. He started as a laborer in 1968 and worked his way up to mid-management through several trades there. Jobs Robert held there were in Air room, steel car shop welder, safety inspector, billing and parts, Hazmat Instructor. Robert created all of the training and safety videos for Union Pacific Nationwide. Rob retired on a medical retirement from the railroad in 2005. He made many lifelong friends throughout his entire life. He lived by these three mottos: “Help others”, “Do it right the first time” and “Do no harm”. He was a man of ethics and common sense.

Rob was an excellent shot with a hand gun, shot gun and rifle. He enjoyed Earth's bounty and was an avid hunter of birds, varmints, deer, antelope, elk and moose. Fishing came in second. His trip to Alaska with his family affirmed this pastime. As did the many 100's of times he fished Island Park, American Falls and Chesterfield.

On July 1968, Rob married his high school sweetheart, Susie Smith, in the Idaho Falls Temple for time and all eternity. To this union was born their only child, Suzanne “SHANTEL” Rupp in 1974. She is the light of her daddy's life.

Rob is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He earned his Duty to God Award in his teen years and was a counselor at Boy Scout Camp for several years.

He formed terrific life-long friendships when he joined the Harley Owners Group, Portneuf Chapter, in 2005. His “Biker Buds” and his Harley were so very important to him. He's at his final destination now and he had an awesome journey getting there.

Robert is survived by his wife of forty-four years (July 27, 2012) Susie (Suzanne), daughter, Shantel Rupp Stinger, much loved son-in-law, B.J. Stinger, father, Gerald Rupp, step-mother, Ruby Rupp, sister, Priscilla Johnston of Eureka, CA, brother, Richard Rupp (Cecelia), in-laws, Guy and Doreen Smith, Shannon Merrill (Gary), Teri Smith, Rigby, Idaho, nephews, Chris Johnston, Brandon Rupp(Lena), nieces, Kim Johnston, Tacoma, WA, Natalie Beach (Brad), Mecinna Price (Jared), Jodi McHugh (Sean), Cassia Meyers (William) and Hailey Merrill Minot, ND, and 14 great-nieces and nephews.

His mother, Ruth O. Rupp, brother-in-law, Hal Johnston, great-niece, Daniell Johnston, Grandparents, Ves and Ann Owens of Ogden, UT, Earl and Mary Rupp and numerous Aunts and Uncles preceded him in passing.

Services for Robert will be held at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road, on Thursday, August 23 at 1:00 p.m. with Bishop Derk Mitton Officiating. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, August 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wilks Funeral where family will visit with friends.

A special thanks to Encompass Hospice, Dr. Kirk Burkenhagen, and Pocatello Cancer Center employees for their kind and compassionate care of Robert throughout this entire unexpected adventure.


Service information is posted under the service schedule tab.