RICHARD GLEN RUPARD

Richard Glen Rupard passed away Dec. 8, 2002, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage with his wife by his bedside.

Born Dec. 5, 1920, in Mineola, Texas, Mr. Rupard was a Baptist preacher, preaching in eastern Texas by the time he was 14. He attended Baylor University to earn a doctorate in divinity but left the program just before graduation. He went on to become one of New Mexico and later Alaska's top mechanics.

During World War II, Mr. Rupard served in Army intelligence and was transferred to Santa Fe where he was a dental technician. Following his discharge he worked in Santa Fe in the auto repair business. In 1972 he moved to Alaska where his sisters lived. There he met Millie Guest; they married in 1975. Though they met and married in Alaska, they had lived 60 miles apart in New Mexico for 30 years.

Mr. Rupard enjoyed working and took pride in everything he did. He enjoyed many hours of flying his own airplane, fishing, photography, canning and cooking (cinnamon rolls were his specialty), and taking long drives on Sunday afternoons with Millie and their dog, Quan. His sister Nora taught him to crochet when he was young and over the years he made many beautiful things.

His family said, "He will be missed by many, as he brought sunshine with him even on the darkest days. His friends called him 'Rup' and his didn't give a #$%# what his enemies called him."

He is survived by his wife Millie and their faithful dog Quan; children, Glenna Carinci, Richard Glen Rupard II and wife Deborah, John Ingles Rupard III; half-brother James Chasteen; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; niece Mary Buckner; nephews Peter Petresac and Charles Cody; many nieces and nephews; and many extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents John Rupard and Ruby Rupard Chasteen; sisters, Nora Collette, Elvina Cody, and Jackie Irving; and parents-in-law Hurshel Guest and Alma Guest.

A memorial potluck will be at the Elks Lodge in Eagle River on Tuesday, Dec. 17 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Donations may be made to the Rupard Fund, Account No. 751 4 0994 at First National Bank in Eagle River.

Arrangements were made by Evergreen's Eagle River Funeral Home, 11046 Chugiak Drive.