Dr. L.O. and Doris Rupe Scholarship for Music Majors

The L.O. and Doris Wade Rupe Scholarship for Music Majors accurately reflects the Rupes’ interest in and love of music. However, one would be remiss to think this was their only interest.

L.O. and Doris have shared a long and full life, with interests and hobbies ranging from medicine to repairing violins to flying airplanes to rearing three foreign foster children in addition to their own three.

Doris was born and raised in the Sterling, Illinois, area. She attended Goshen College her freshman and senior years, stopping out for a time to be trained as a registered medical technologist. Then professor Carl Kreider, urged Doris to “pull her credits together” and see what could be done. So, Doris graduated from GC in 1946.

Following graduation, Doris worked in the lab at the Norwegian American Hospital in Chicago. There she met a young resident, Dr. L.O. Rupe.

However, Dr. Rupe wasn’t native to Chicago. Born and raised in the hills of Kentucky, he graduated from high school in the heart of the depression. One of his teachers, Miss Bemis, took a special interest in him and she played a significant part in his life. She contributed financially to his education, but even more importantly, was always available to offer him encouragement.

L.O. attended Lees McRae College and graduated from Sterling College pre—med. He worked hard those years. In addition to studying, he put in long hours with jobs as varied as lumbering, farming, carpentering, laboring in the salt mines, milking cows and ironing shirts in the school laundry.

From Sterling College, L.O. went to Northwestern Medical School. It was the first school to accept him — and the most expensive. During medical school, he continued to study hard and work to make ends meet. However, he made many fine friends and enjoyed the accompanying rich experiences.

After internship in 1943, L.O. enlisted in the Navy in order to avoid the Army. His stint lasted until 1945. In 1946, he returned to Chicago, to Norwegian American Hospital, to do his first year of a residency in surgery. The following three years (1947—50) of residency was taken at the University of Wisconsin.

It was at this point in time that he met Doris. Their friendship grew and they were married in 1948.

Upon completion of L.O.’s training in 1950, they chose Elkhart as their home. “Elkhart was good to us,” L.O. said. He enjoyed a long and very successful practice in general and thoractic surgery.

In addition to his medical practice, L.O. and Doris found enjoyment in many outside activities. Both enjoy music. Doris has been involved in church music activities. L.O. enjoys instruments as pieces of art —— sometimes making the instruments themselves. Also, he has learned how to repair violins and make dulcimers.

Then a fascination with airplanes “interrupted” L.O.’s interest in violins. He restored antique planes in addition to piloting and gliding. “There was so much to learn,” L.O. explained. “Everything from the weather to cloud formations to wind currents.”

The Rupes have a large orchard on their property, raising both apples and grapes. They’ve both enjoyed the hard work that goes with a project of this size.

The Rupes reared three children, John, Daniel and Nancy. In addition they opened their home and hearts to three other children —— one Austrian/Romanian child, and two from East Germany.

Doris and L.O. are long—time active members of Prairie Street Mennonite Church where they’ve given countless hours and have many friends and support groups.

L.O. has enjoyed many honors including Lees McRae College’s award of Distinguished Alumnus, serving for 20 years on Sterling College’s board of directors, and being named a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons in 1954. He was the first president of the Michiana Experimental Aircraft Association (NEAA) and the first person to be honored for distinguished service. In addition, he began the Michiana chapter of NEAA.

L.O. recognizes the importance Miss Bemis played in his life. Her financial help and encouragement made a difference for him. The Rupes would now like to play a “Miss Bemis” role in some other students’ lives. To that end, they have established the L.O. and Doris Rupe Scholarship for Music Majors.