Robert E. Rupert

December 22, 2007. Robert E. Rupert, age 75, of 20 North Pleasant Dr., East Palestine, died in Salem Community Hospital due to pneumonia.

He was born March 3, 1932, near New Waterford, the youngest son of Willis and Emma Van Skiver Rupert. Bob's development was slow due to cerebral palsy, but his mother and many others championed his cause and helped him grow to be a beloved member of his community. Bob is survived by five siblings, Donald Rupert of Sebring, Elverda "Bird" Baughman of New Waterford, Frances Beson of Houston, Texas, Lois Boyle of Sebring, W. Ralph "Flick" Rupert of Columbiana; and many devoted nieces and nephews and their families. A brother, Raymond "Fat" Rupert, and nephews Larry Rupert and Carl Beson preceded him in death. Bob spent most of his life on the Willis Rupert & Sons Farm, where he liked helping with chores and playing with relatives. As a youth he briefly attended Fairfield School; he was then educated by private tutors and at a Canton school for special needs students. Bob loved reading, especially westerns and sports books. He was gifted with an incredible ability to remember family happenings and dates, as well as sports facts, and was proud of his travel to distant states, sometimes flying alone, to visit relatives. In his later years he decided to write a memoir, laboriously scrawling out a page a day for three years, producing a document treasured by his family.

Bob's favorite pastime was following the athletic activities of his beloved Crestview Rebels. His good friend Curt Sitler took him to games for many years; afterwards, there was always a stop at Heck's Restaurant and a hug from his favorite waitress, Mrs.Ward. In 1967, Crestview honored Bob at an athletic banquet as Number One Rebel Fan and issued him a lifetime athletic pass. He also avidly followed the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cleveland Indians, and the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates. He met several professional athletes; Bob Feller and Terry Bradshaw were particularly friendly and noteworthy to Bob.

After the death of his parents, Bob maintained his own home with assistance from siblings; he later moved to a home managed by loving caregivers, the late Mrs. Mabel Inman and now Mrs. Debi Inman of East Palestine. He attended the Robert Bycroft School for the Handicapped in Lisbon and worked at the county workshop. Bob made friends everywhere he went; his Lisbon friends included Lena "Mom" Gibson and Jimmy Grimes. Bob was a lifelong member of the New Waterford Presbyterian Church, where he had more good friends. Many wonderful people contributed to the fullness of Bob's life, but with his good spirit and loving nature he gave to others much more than he received.

There will be a memorial service for Bob on January 19, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the New Waterford Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in Bob's memory to the New Waterford Presbyterian Church, the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, or the athletic department of Crestview High School. Arrangements are by the Van Dyke-Swaney Funeral Home in East Palestine and condolences may be shared online at www.familycareservices.com.