Dr. James Clarke "Jamie" Rupp was born in Denver, Colorado on October 28, 1962 to James Donald Rupp and Mary Alice (Clarke) Rupp. He died on September 3, 2017 while hiking Challenger Point in Colorado. He was raised in Walden, Colorado graduating from North Park High School in 1981. He participated in all sports and for many years held school records in track. Always a diligent student, Jamie was awarded one of the prestigious merit-based Boettcher Scholarships that provided a "full ride" for 4 years to any Colorado University. He attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins and graduated in 1985. Jamie was a member of the CSU track team and FarmHouse Fraternity. Jamie always had a fondness for animals, particularly dogs, and originally intended to pursue veterinary school but switched his interest to human medicine. In 1985, Jamie attended University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City, Kansas where he spent the next ten years of his life. He obtained his medical degree in 1989, followed by a residency in Internal Medicine, and a fellowship in Nephrology.
While at KU, Jamie met Sandy. Jamie's father, a patient at the time, thought his nurse would make a good wife for his son and acting as matchmaker, encouraged their meeting. The rest is history and how right he was. Jamie and Sandy were married on October 31, 1992 in Salina, Kansas. From this marriage two sons, Alexander James and Thomas Scott, were born.
Upon completing his medical education, Jamie, Sandy, Alex, and Tom moved to Casper, Wyoming where he remained the rest of his life. Jamie practiced medicine for the next 22 years, including a private practice, Wyoming Kidney Center and the Veteran's Administration Clinic. At the time of his death he was a physician at Memorial Hospital of Converse County.
Jamie's colleagues considered him to be a brilliant and compassionate physician. He was beloved by nurses and hospital staff as well as his many patients over the years.
Jamie loved watching his sons play hockey, climbing mountains, bicycling with Sandy, fine wine and an occasional vodka martini with a lemon twist. Jamie loved traveling the world and spending time at the cabin. Most of all, he loved his family deeply and his many friends. He was a devoted husband, father, brother and son.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy, sons Alex and Tom Rupp, his mother, Mary Rupp, all of Casper; sister, Jody Boeding (Tom) of Kansas City, Kansas; in-laws Frank and Linda Taggart; brother-in-law Scott (Toni) Taggart all of Salina, Kansas; sister-in-law, Sheila Wexler (Randy) of Lenexa, Kansas and many nephews and nieces, aunts and uncles.
One cannot put into words the love Jamie shared with his family and friends. As one of his friends said, "he was a good soul".
A visitation will be held Thursday, September 7, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home. Rosary will be on Friday, September 8, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 9, 2017 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Casper. Inurnment will follow at the Highland Cemetery with a reception to follow at St. Patrick's Catholic Church Gymnasium.
Memorials in his name may be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Saguache County Search and Rescue, North Park High School in Walden, Colorado, or Colorado State University FarmHouse Fraternity.