Kenneth Dale Rupe

Kenneth Dale Rupe, a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at the age of 104.Kenneth was born on Wednesday, December 3, 1919 in Pueblo, Colorado to Herbert Amos Rupe and Hinda Carmen Vandivort Rupe. He completed Centennial High School in 1938 followed by two years of junior college in Pueblo. In high school he played the C-melody saxophone and trumpet in the band, and was a DeMolay leader, serving as Master Councilor in 1940 and State of Colorado Grand Master Councilor in 1941.Following the United States’ entry into World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 1942, and received his basic training at Camp Grant near Rockford, IL. While there it was discovered that he possessed the knowledge of and was very talented and proficient in stenography, also referred to as shorthand. In February 1943 he joined the 300th General Hospital, serving as part of the General Headquarters team which supported a hospital group then being formed around doctors and nurses from the Vanderbilt University Medical School. From February until August 1943, the group drilled and trained at Camp Forrest near Tullahoma, TN. In August, 1943, the 300th General Hospital group left for Camp Shanks, NY, and days later departed New York Harbor for a then unknown destination. As the convoy came close to the Mediterranean, it came under attack by German warplanes and submarines, and his ship, the Thomas H. Barry, was narrowly missed by a torpedo which was targeted at his ship. On September 3, 1943, as part of the invasion force into Salerno, Italy, the group landed at Bizerte, Tunisia, in North Africa, and then later that year arrived in Italy following the successful Allied invasion there. The 300th assumed control of a portion of a new hospital located in Vomero, a suburb of Naples. In March 1944 he witnessed the incredible power of the most recent eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. He served honorably in Italy before returning to the States on board the troopship SS Mariposa in November 1945 following the conclusion of the war, receiving his honorable discharge as a Master Sergeant on November 28, 1945 at Camp Chaffee near Fort Smith, Arkansas. He later achieved the rank as 2nd Lieutenant while serving in the Army Reserves.During the war years, his parents had relocated to Wichita, so at the conclusion of his military service he moved to his new home in Wichita, where he finished his college education at Wichita University, earning a Business Administration degree with an accounting major. He met Bonnie Jean Brown at First Methodist Church, and on August 3, 1947 they were married at the church. Together they raised two children, and celebrated nearly 77 years of marriage.Following graduation, Kenneth was hired in January 1949 by Fred Koch at Wood River Oil and Refining Company, later becoming Koch Industries, where he grew to hold increasing levels of responsibility in various executive positions. He was with the company his entire career, retiring in 1985. Kenneth was a smart but humble man, a friend to many, always ready to serve. He remained faithful to God and his family, served his church community in various ways, and provided countless hours of volunteer service delivering critical blood supplies for the American Red Cross throughout the hills and plains of his adopted State of Kansas. He provided additional service as an active member of High Twelve International, an organization of Master Masons. He achieved the 32nd Degree of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, and lived his life in accordance with the organization’s core values; Reverence for God, Integrity, Devotion to Country, Justice, Tolerance, and Service to Humanity. In retirement, he and Bonnie enjoyed traveling with friends to distant locations, but he never lost his love of the mountains of Colorado where he was raised, always referring to the wilderness as “God’s Country”. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Bonnie; daughter, Carmen Rupe of Santa Monica, CA; son, Douglas Rupe (Tammy) of Wichita; grandsons, Grant Rupe (Nilsi) of Las Vegas, NV, and Ross Rupe (Brittany) of Durango, CO; as well as many nieces and nephews. Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Alden. A memorial service will be held at Downing and Lahey Mortuary, 6555 E. Central in Wichita on Friday, February 9 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church General Fund, Botanica, or the charity of your choice.

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