Albert Leo "Bud" Ruppert Jr

Our Lord called Albert Leo "Bud" Ruppert Jr. after a long battle with dementia followed by a broken hip on June 29, 2025 in Redding, California. He was 89. Bud was born on March 28, 1936 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the second of four children to Albert Leo and Grace Eugenia Ruppert. Growing up in Everett, Massachusetts he attended Our Lady of Grace school and was a paperboy beginning in the 5th grade. He built up his paper route subscribers to the point he was able to sell his route when the family moved to Lombard, Illinois. He attended Marmion Military Academy in Aurora and was a member of the golf team and the Flannigan Rifles Drill Team Captain. He achieved the highest rank possible for a non-boarding Cadet, Second Lieutenant. He attended St. Mary's College in Winona, Minnesota and was a member of the travelling concert choir and quartet. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS Mechanical Engineering. He went on to have a successful engineering career at several companies. While at RCA's David Sarnoff Research Center he was instrumental in the design of a vidicon isolation and damping system for the Ranger 7 Mission that took the first close-up pictures of the lunar surface, paving the way for the moon landing. Later he would become the youngest Vice President of Engineering ever at OAK Industries in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
He joined CP Clare Company of Chicago and embarked on a new career in technical sales. Starting as a field salesman he rose to District manager, then Regional Manager and ultimately Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Bud then started Ruppert Sales & Engineering, a manufacturer's representative company in San Jose, California. The company operated successfully for more than 35 years earning countless awards for sales achievements. He also founded two distribution companies that are still active.
Bud was happiest when surrounded by family, hosting family reunions at his ranch on the Sacramento River and entertaining them in his game room showcasing his legendary collection of music played on vintage juke boxes and shooting pool followed by BBQ ribs he had perfected over many years.
Bud is survived by his wife of 67 years, Diane, his son Mike (Julie), his daughter Katie (Dave), sisters Louise Marie and Grace Anne, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sons Matthew John, Gregory William and sister Cecelia Catherine.
A Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2040 Walnut Ave, Redding, CA 96001 on July 23, 2025 at 10:00 am followed by the Rite of Committal at Parkville Pioneer Cemetery in Anderson, CA (Where Bud was a volunteer, a board of trustees member). A reception will be held immediately following at Riverview Country Club (Where Bud was a member) 4200 Bechelli Ln, Redding, CA 96002. Funeral arrangements are through Allen & Dahl, 21853 Honor Court, Palo Cedro, CA 96073 (530) 547-4444.