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Howard Ruppel
HOWARD RUPPEL
Mount Vernon
Dr. Howard Ruppel, Ph.D., died Sept. 9, 2016, of health- related complications.
He was born in Orange, N.J., on July 22, 1941.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of 49 years. He is survived by two of his beloved cats, Maggie and Aurora. Family surviving are his sister, Lesley Weirich; brother, Paul Ruppel (Ann); sisters-in-law, Carla Wiedemann, Debbie (Bob) Reed and Sara (Ted) Larkin; and many nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.
Howie was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Lillian Ruppel.
Howie had many friends and treasured his relationships with them. He had an infectious laugh and great sense of humor. He loved hosting a good party. He loved big band and Dixieland music and played bass fiddle in a big band in his 20s. He loved his home in Mount Vernon, making sure it was kept well and comfortable.
Howie made a difference in the lives of many students, colleagues and clients. He was an expert in the field of human sexuality. Over the course of his career, he maintained his private sex therapy practice, the Center for Sexual Growth and Development.
He began his teaching career with history, then sociology, and then for 25 years taught human sexuality courses as an adjunct professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Iowa. In 1988, Howie became executive director of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex (SSSS) and in 1996, added the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). In 2001, he moved to the San Francisco area to become chancellor and academic dean at the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality.
He decided to partly retire and returned to his home in Mount Vernon in 2008, continuing his practice.
Howie enjoyed his interesting life and will be greatly missed.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Howard's family requests no flowers.
Please share your support and memories with Howie's family on his tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.
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