Robert George RUPP

1918 - 2022

Son of Laurin and Cassie (Dean) Rupp, was born on a farm near Aurora, Nebraska, on Oct. 28, 1918. He died on Dec. 30, 2022, at age 104. Bob enrolled in the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture in 1936 on a $100 4-H scholarship. He worked his way through college at 25 cents per hour, graduating June 9, 1941, and reporting for active military duty the next day, June 10, 1941, as an ROTC 2nd Lieutenant. Assigned to the 3rd Field Artillery Battalion, he was on the line northeast of Luxembourg City as Service Battery Commander when the Battle of the Bulge started Dec. 16, 1944. The 3rd, as a part of Combat Command A (CCA), 9th Armored Division, held its position against an entire German Infantry Division, firing more than 26,000 rounds day and night in 10 days — an Army record. Bob's Service Battery trucks made 150-mile-turn-arounds, day and black-out at night, to keep battalion guns supplied with ammunition. For its action, CCA was given a Presidential Unit Citation, which is the highest award for a military unit. Service Battery was also given a Meritorious Service Unit Plaque, the second highest unit award. Bob received a Bronze Star with V (for valor). Following the war, Bob stayed in the active reserve, retiring from the Minnesota National Guard as a Colonel with 37 years of service. His civilian career included 34-plus years on the editorial staff of The Farmer, a flagship publication of the Webb Publishing Company. He was the editor for 13 years. During that time, Bob served as president of the American Agricultural Editors Association (AAEA), represented the U.S. on the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) executive board for eight years, and as senior vice president for the last four. Bob and his wife, Matilda, led a group of 42 AAEA members and spouses to the Second World Congress of IFAJ in Cannes, France, in 1971. He was general chair of the Third World Congress, held in the U.S. in 1976, with 25 countries represented. During his career, Bob received state, national and international awards, including the Reuben Brigham Award from the American Association of Agricultural College Editors and a Lifetime Achievement Award from AAEA. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 19 years, Dee (Schill); brother Dean; sister-in-law, Jean; and his wife of 59 years, Matilda Alice (Towne). He is survived by his daughter, Victoria Anne (George Jelatis) Rupp; son, Robert George (Cindy) Rupp II; and daughter, Lorna Lee Rupp; four grandchildren, Jessica (Darren) Poznick, Sarah (Michael Bixby) Rupp, Travis (Jon Michael Topolski) Rupp, and Laura (Cody) Tremblay; and four great-grandchildren, Lucy Netherland, Leah Bixby, Miles, and Brooke Tremblay. Funeral services, including interment at Fort Snelling, will be held at a future time. 651-439-5511