On the day John F. Kennedy's motorcade passed through downtown
Franklin in the fall of 1960, just months before the election, the
future president had occasion to say thank you to Rupert Ruppert, who at
the time was a 17-year-old Franklin H.S. senior.
Rupe (forgive
my informality here, but that's how people know him) was already widely
active in and around his hometown -- as senior class president and a
player on a basketball team that would go undefeated, among other things
-- but that's not what drew Mr. Kennedy's attention that day.
"I was wearing a papier-mache mask that looked just like him," Rupe remembers.
JFK looked over in his direction, pointed at him and said a word of thanks with a smile, and then drove off into history.
As it turned out, it was not the last time Rupe would be the center of attention.
Whether it has been as part of a Franklin civic organization; or as a
lawyer in the office of Ruppert, Bronson & Ruppert; or for the last
12 years as judge of the Franklin Municipal Court, Rupe has been a
devoted servant to the people of Franklin.
The list of his
affiliations would fill up two pages of notebook paper. The people who
would say how much they appreciate Rupe's hard work, friendly advice and
hometown pride could line up out the door and around the block.
Through it all, he has remained humble and down-to-earth, which explains
why he knows everybody -- which is not an overstatement. Everybody.
Rupe has always loved helping people.
He sums it up simply, "It's been my pleasure."
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...
RUPERT WAS AMONG the honorees at last night's Legacy Recognition
Ceremony, which was put on by the Warren County Bar Association.
Along with former Appeals Court Judge William Hendrickson and Domestic
Relations Court Magistrate Brenda Dunlap, Rupe was recognized for his 40
years of work in all courts in and around Warren County, especially
Franklin.
He retired earlier this year from the practice of law,
though his family says he still has his hand in a case or two here and
there. In six weeks, he will retire from his position as judge in the
Franklin court, where he has been on the bench since 2006.
His colleagues in the bar association knew that was worth celebrating.
Rupe was presented by his nephew and soon to become the new judge in
Franklin, Ron Ruppert, who has worked with Rupe for the last 29 years.
"Rupe told me all of you already knew him so I didn't have to say
anything," Ron told the crowd. And he let the words hang for a second to
let it be known he had a different thought.
"But, yeah, I do."
After mentioning many of the distinctions and positions Rupe has held
through the years, Ron mentioned the one quality he believes most
defines Rupert -- professionalism.
"He embodies professionalism,"
Ron said. "I've seen him for 29 years help people from every walk of
life and every economic level. I'm telling you, it's been amazing to
watch. There's been a constant parade of people every day. He's helped
them with their problems, oftentimes not charging them."
He has been an inspiration that way.
Though Rupe can be quite the jokester, which only adds to his
popularity, Ron emphasized how dedicated Rupe has always been to his
craft and the people who sought his assistance.
When it was
Rupe's turn at the podium, he appreciated the kind words. "I've enjoyed
being a lawyer," he said. "I think all of us should be proud of our
profession. Sometimes people want to talk about us like we're used car
salesmen, but I don't think that's the case."
Lawyers get
involved in emotional, hotly contested situations, he said. "Most people
will say 'I like MY lawyer,' but they also will say they don't like the
other lawyer," he said. Therefore, it's a matter of perspective.
Rupe has always been one of the good ones.
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...
THROUGH THE YEARS I have been influenced by so many good lawyers. My
dad was my first boss, and he encouraged me to advocate for the
disadvantaged. Judge Tim Oliver was my last boss, and he taught me the
value of being a smart, efficient and even-handed judge.
In
between those two, I also worked for Judge Rupert Ruppert (shown in the
photo with his grandson Ezra) when I was his magistrate in the Franklin
Municipal Court. He taught me the value of being a little light-hearted,
in a respectful way, in order to make people feel at ease.
"It never hurts to let them know you are a real person," he says.
His retirement creates a void in the legal community, but his impact will live on in the people who were around him.
Well done, Rupe.
Very well done.