Theodore A. Ruppert “Ted”, age 89, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2020 as he succumbed to the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Beloved son of the late Berenice T. and Henry L. Ruppert, Sr.; loving brother of Mary (Donnal) Leisher; Richard W. (Eleanor) Ruppert; Berenice “Peggy” (the late Charles, III) Willis; Susan Jackson; and the late Henry L. Ruppert Jr.; and Robert R. (Helen) Ruppert; dear uncle, great-uncle, cousin and friend.

Ted Ruppert was born in the Depression era to parents Berenice T. and Henry L. Ruppert, Sr. At an early age, Ted was no stranger to hard work and responsibility. From shoveling snow, to mowing lawns, to washing cars, and providing child care to neighbors and siblings, he took his jobs very seriously.

Ted attended The Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (MSM) and obtained his degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1952. While a student, he participated in intramural sports, The Petroleum Club, Rollamo Board, Miner Board, Theta Tau, AIMME, Kappa Sigma Glee Club, and Inter Fraternity Council. He was also a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and served the offices of Guard, Treasurer, and Grand Master.

After graduation, Ted worked for Texaco but was soon called to action for service in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean Conflict. He served for two training cycles as a Company Commander. He was then sent to Korea and was assigned to a company that had the responsibility of rebuilding the Country’s infrastructure from Seoul to the North Korean border. He was promptly promoted to Commanding Officer of his group thanks to his engineering background.

Upon finishing his tour with the Army in 1955, Ted returned to work at Texaco in the marshes of Louisiana. There he served as a Field Engineer where he was assigned the daunting task of creating the most efficient process for extracting oil and gas. It was during this time that Ted developed a low lime, low alkalinity drilling fluid that would not turn to a solid when used in depths around 20,000 feet. To this day, Texaco still uses this same fluid and methodology when drilling a deep well. After putting his time in the field, Ted moved on to the Reservoir Evaluation Department, and then the Financial Planning Department.

In 1962, his talents were recognized by Chase Manhattan Bank and he relocated to New York. After two years with Chase as an Engineer-Banker in the Petroleum Department, he was promoted to Vice President and Banking-Engineer of his division. He worked closely with David Rockefeller, head of the bank, in this capacity. During this time, he also obtained a certificate in accounting from New York University.

In 1969, Ted’s father passed away and he was called back home to St. Louis to manage the family’s businesses. He took over a group of jointly owned investments created by his father, and eventually merged this enterprise with a New York company, creating Varlen Corporation. In less than 30 years, the company hit 1 billion dollars in sales and was taken public. After adding several other successful ventures to his portfolio, Ted eventually retired and became a caretaker to his Mother and family home. In his retirement years, he managed the family’s assets in his mother & father’s trusts. In addition, he served as a trustee for a private family trust in the Northeast, giving advice on investments pertaining to oil, gas & mineral properties.

Ted was a very dedicated, generous, unselfish, and loving individual. He donated a great deal of his time and talent, serving as an active member of the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy Alumni Academy. He was also a major financial contributor to his beloved university, funding a new computer lab for the school, along with major improvements to the Kappa Sigma fraternity house. Another example of Ted’s generosity was demonstrated by his allocation of personal funds to support underprivileged youth, helping them to obtain a college education. He financed more than 35 young people in this endeavor during his lifetime.Ted was truly a man for others.

Currently, family and friends are unable to gather to celebrate Ted’s life. Services are pending and will be held at a later date.