Obituary of John J. Ruppert

John J. Ruppert, 80, of 314 College Court, Iowa City died suddenly Sunday, July 31, 2005 at his home. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in John’s memory may be directed to Iowa City Police Association Local 16 for youth activities. Online condolences for John’s family may be directed through our website @www.gayandciha.com. John was born June 14, 1925 in Iowa City to Clarence and Dorothy (Mencl) Ruppert. John graduated from City High School, Iowa City. During World War II John served in the US Army Air Force with the 447th Bomb Group as a tailgunner on a B17. Even though John’s plane was shot down over France on its 13th mission, he was rescued and returned to6+ England and became a member of the “Lucky Bastard’s Club”, for completing 25 bombing missions. On July 7, 1947, John married Mary Louise Ham in Iowa City; she preceded him in death on August 31, 2000. John joined the Iowa City Police Department in 1948 at the rank of patrolman and went from there to Sergeant, to Captain and served as Iowa City Chief of Police from 1963 to 1967. For health reasons he returned to the rank of Captain until his retirement for the police department in 1984. John then continued to work for the City of Iowa City as the Night Supervisor of Parking Ramps until retiring from that position in 1994. John was a member of the Police Chiefs Association, the Moose, and Iowa City Masonic Lodge #4. John was also a honorary member of the Arizona wing of the Confederate Air Force. John greatly enjoyed giving children his special tour of the Iowa City Police Department which always ended with the stop at the pop and candy machines. Following his retirement John kept busy in the car trade and meeting his friends at HyVee for breakfast. John’s family includes a son, Jeff and wife, Jean of Iowa City, two daughters, Barbara and her husband, Michael Campero and Lori and her husband, Fred Kowalke, both of Iowa City, 4 grandchildren, Jennifer E. Ruppert of The Woodlands, Texas, Jon J. Ruppert of Iowa City, Courtney Kowalke and her fiancé, Matt Kidwell of Iowa City and Carly Kowalke of Iowa City. A brother Donald “Bud” Ruppert of Burlington, Iowa and a sister-in-law, Laura Dooley of Iowa City. All of whom will greatly miss him. John was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Mary Louise. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for John’s family and his services.