Ruppert, The Rev. Robert H.

The Rev. Robert H. Ruppert, 81, of Cedar Rapids, went to be with his Lord and Savior, in the arms of his loving family on Saturday, April 30, 2011. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church officiated by the Rev. Robert Burkhart, the Rev. Lloyd Brockmeyer, the Rev. Harlan Gillespie and the Rev. Jack Kendall. Interment will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitations will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home and after noon Friday at the church.

Survivors include his wife of almost 55 years, Marg; children, Tim Ruppert and Toni Overton, both of Cedar Rapids, and Tami (Michael) Scherrman of Palm Harbor, Fla.; a brother, Wayne (Sandy) Ruppert; a sister, Fran Donnelly; grandchildren, Cassie (Jesse) Parcher, Amanda, Rachael and Hallie Ruppert, Megan, Molly and Tommy Scherrman, and Ben Overton; and two great-grandchildren, Zuly and Rylan Parcher.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Jim and Dick Ruppert.

Bob was born July 28, 1929, in Vienna, Ill., to Clayton and Myra MacKenzie Ruppert, and raised in Slater, Mo. Bob received a BA degree in English from Central Methodist College and his Master's of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at SMU in Dallas, Texas. He married Margaret Jean Rowley in Nora Springs, Iowa, on June 24, 1956.

He served United Methodist congregations in Arrow Rock, Nelson and Gilliam, Mo. as a student pastor. He was an associate pastor in Clinton, Iowa, where he met and fell in love with his future bride. Bob was then head pastor in the following Iowa communities: Stratford, New Hampton-Williamstown, La Porte City, Dubuque, Bettendorf, Fort Dodge, Fort Madison, Viola and Martelle. He served over 50 years as a United Methodist Pastor.

Bob served on and chaired multiple Iowa Annual Conference Boards including Evangelism, Global Ministries, Pensions, Investigations, Nominations, Resolutions, Disabilities, Program Review, Youth Ministries, Adult and Family Ministries, Planning and Research, Friendship Haven and the UMMSCU. He also served with the Fort Dodge Urban Ministries and Quad Cities Churches United. In Bob's own word, “AMAZING!”

Bob was a member of Alpha Psi Omega, Alpha Phi Omega, the Jaycees, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Rotary International, Lions International and NAACP. At Central Methodist College, he received the actor of the year award in 1950, and was proud that the name he suggested, “The Eyrie,” was selected for the new Recreation Hall.

Bob was very proud of the work he did with work camps, church camps, youth ministry and sharing of love, tears, and laughter as Christian friends and co-workers with Christ Jesus. He was especially proud of helping six people to enter the Ministry.

As a great man of God, loving husband and adoring father, grandfather and great-grandfather who touched many lives, Bob Ruppert will be greatly missed by all.

Memorials will be allocated for Parkinson's research.

Online condolences may be sent to under obituaries.