Theodore George Ruopp

Theodore George Ruopp, 91, of Hawleyville, died July 30 in Chicago, where he was residing with his daughter, Kathleen Ruopp. He is survived by his sons James Ruopp and his wife, Helga, of Hawleyville, and Jerry Ruopp and his wife, Jean, of New Fairfield; his daughters Kathleen Ruopp of Chicago and Fibian Judith Ruopp of Albuquerque, N.M.; two brothers, Paul and his wife, Augusta, and Frederick and his wife, Anita; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr Ruopp was predeceased by his wife Lydia (Behrens) Ruopp, and brothers and sisters, Martin Ruopp, Dorothea Grube, Christa Lang, Ernest Ruopp, Helen Ruopp, Lillian Bardo, Edward Ruopp, and Walter Ruopp.

He was born in 1914 to J. George Ruopp and Anna (Schulze) Ruopp. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School and Danbury High School. Following high school, he joined Sipperly Artesian Well Company as a well driller.

Mr Ruopp was a member of Battery D of the 192nd Field Artillery of the National Guard and after the attack on Pearl Harbor, joined the US Navy and served in the Pacific Theater as aviation chief machinist mate. After the war, he remained in the Navy and participated in the atomic bomb tests at the Bikini Atolls while on the USS Shangri La. This had a dramatic impression on him, and he enrolled in Purdue University where he studied physics and botany and later became a Connecticut Civil Defense Radiological Officer.

He later returned to Danbury and took over the operation of Sipperly Artesian Well Company with his brother, Ernie. He continued to run the company with the participation of several of his brothers, nephews, and son, Jerry, well into his seventies. He also served as an officer in the Connecticut Well Drillers Association.

He was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and held positions on many of the church boards and was active in the Lutheran Laymen’s League. Ted was an avid history buff, loved working outdoors in his garden and yard, and thrived on lively discussions.

The family will receive friends at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street in Danbury, Friday, August 5, from 5 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 6, at 10 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 18 Clapboard Ridge Road in Danbury. Cremation will take place at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the George and Anna Ruopp Memorial Scholarship for Immanuel Lutheran School, 18 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury CT 06811.

The Newtown Bee        August 5, 2005