Howard Ruppel
July 22, 1941 ~ September 9, 2016
Dr. Howard Ruppel, PhD, died on September 9, 2016, of health related complications. He was born in Orange, New Jersey on July 22, 1941.
He is survived by his wife Barbara of 49 years. He is survived by two of his beloved cats, Maggie and Aurora. Family surviving are his sister, Lesley Weirich; brother, Paul Ruppel (Ann); sisters in law, Carla Wiedemann, Debbie (Bob) Reed, Sara (Ted) Larkin; and many nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews. Howie was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Lillian Ruppel.
Howie had many friends and treasured his relationships with them. He had an infectious laugh and great sense of humor. He loved hosting a good party. He loved Big Band and Dixieland music, and played bass fiddle in a big band in his 20s. He loved his home in Mount Vernon making sure it was kept well and comfortable.
Howie made a difference in the lives of many students, colleagues, and clients. He was an expert in the field of human sexuality. Over the course of his career he maintained his private sex therapy practice, the Center for Sexual Growth and Development.
He began his teaching career with history, then sociology, and then for 25 years taught Human Sexuality courses as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Iowa. In 1988, Howie became the Executive Director of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex (SSSS) and in 1996 added the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). In 2001, he moved to the San Francisco area to become Chancellor and Academic Dean at the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality.
He decided to partly retire and returned to his home in Mount Vernon in 2008, continuing his practice.
Howie enjoyed his interesting life and will be greatly missed.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Howard's family requests no flowers.
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Howie, my 40-year friend and guide. A brother. Always insightful and caring, generally with an added healthy dose of humor. A guiding light in so many lives. And always ready to celebrate! What a remarkable contributor to our world. The heavens are brighter, yet we here lost a star. Living and loving in the right way made a good man enjoy his life. Well done, my friend. My heartfelt condolences and hugs to you, Barb. I will always dearly miss and lovingly remember your and our Howie. God bless. Ted Larkin
So sad and sorry to hear about Howie. We were planning another lunch together. I was hoping to have many more. Connie and I enjoyed the parties and Holiday get togethers. We will always remember our Glenn Miller concerts and dinners together. We always enjoyed Howie’s stories and the special way he told them. He was special to all he called friend. We will always have great memories of our time spent on earth with Howie. We will miss him.
Har and Connie
There’s so many wonderful memories. I still remember the first time I met Howie at the U..he came with many boxes of punched data cards and I thought .. oh boy.. he’s gonna need help! That’s where our friendship began.
Our spouses met and so many good memories started too.
Howie’s surprise birthday party at our house and Howie was sweating watching the belly dancer!
Our trip to Paris.
Larry and Howie are now watching Iowa football games together with Lasack.
Will miss him.
Love…. Ana
You became the husband to one and a first brother to “the Wiedemann Girls” as you used to call us and we sure loved having you as part of our family. We have so many great memories and each is a treasure. You made us richer in love, laughter and helped us understand football, no small feat. We leaned on you for guidance and you always gave sage advice. We are so blessed you came into our lives. Eternal peace to you Howie. (posted is my favorite picture of Howie & Barb sitting on their porch in Iowa). We love you, Debbie & Bob.
From the bottom of my heart, I appreciated, admired and adored Dr Ruppel (I called him by his title and last name out of respect). It is thanks to him and ONLY him that I had IRB approval for my dissertation, and thus was able to publish articles from that study in peer-reviewed journals. He was the head of my dissertation committee, he was my faculty advisor and all around rock. I owe much of my academic success to his advice. Aside from the professional aspects of our relationship, he was keenly attuned to the emotions of his students and he never said “no” or displayed any negativity to sometimes out-of-the-box suggestions for studies or projects. He was, in short, THE BEST.
Dr Ruppel may be gone in physical form, but his generous, kindly and loving spirit lives in all of us until we meet again on the other side.
James Owen
Memphis, TN
Howie, dear and lasting friend, was a true gentleman and 100% character from the first moment I met him in January, 1957. My mom dropped me off in front of a church on Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL at 6:30 on a very cold January morning so that I could catch the bus to my new high school, St. Procopius Academy. And there was Howie, and the third musketeer of the morning, Jim Minor. He immediately introduced himself and started laughing about my new predicament. Boy, was it cold, and boy, was he warm and cheerful as the wind whirled around us.
Yes, we were in the SPA band together… him thumping on that beat-up old string bass and me making terrible noises with a trombone. But, gee, we had fun. Someone mentioned Glenn Miller and dixieland music. He and I spent a hot Sunday afternoon in a firehouse in Lombard listening to the “Dukes of Dixieland. Overdressed, by far the youngest there (our moms drove us), and loving every minute. Except when the phone rang and then everything stopped so the firemen could answer the call. Luckily, no fires that day but the phone sure stretched the creativity and patience of the musicians and the audience.
We double dated and were in each other’s weddings. He let me talk about my inner fears, theology, the complexity of marriage and even more serous subjects. And, as others have cited, always with sincerity, genuine concern and invaluable insight and sensitivity.
Howie, you were in this life and continue to be for all time, a true gentleman and wise man. You have always been an anchor in my sea of life and I fully expect that you will continue to be as I stumble on.
As my oldest and closest friend I love you.
I love, Love, LOVE Howie Ruppel. My original connection to Howie was as a longtime group discussion facilitator for his Human Sexuality class at the Univ of IA. But like a crystal forms around a seed, so many enriching chats, events, and get-togethers ensued. What a spectacularly wonderful and genuine friend he was to me. And as my memory wanders, I realize what a large portion of my life has been Howie-influenced. It is my forever honor to have such a friend. Much love to you, Barbarella!
Ginger Bush
We shared so many memories as colleagues at SSSS and AASECT and then later. Howie one of the smartest, innovative, funny and loving people I have ever known in the field of sexuality. My love goes to Barb his beautiful partner. What a sweet pair. Such a talented man. Our last conversation was about wallpaper and the best quality paint. You live on through your wonderful contributions. Ginger
Howard Ruppel was an amazing man. He was warm and generous, interesting and funny. He always had fascinating stories to tell. He seemed to know everyone in the field of sexuality.
Howie and Barb really lived full, rich lives. Howie loved Barb, and Barb loved Howie, and they lived the lives that they wanted to live.
I miss Howie so much. I often think about him, a story he told, or something funny that he said. I can’t attend the memorial, but Howie and Barb are in my thoughts. I hope that Cyd and I can visit Barb sometime and reminisce.
Love, Charlene Muehlenhard
Howie should have become our President! His leadership skills and attention
to detail made Howie one of the greatest contributors in the field of study
and research in Human Sexuality. Howie kept me going with his unique way
of sharing stories and ideas to benefit the greater good. I’m sorry I did not
find out until today! I was going to write Howie in for President! Howie
mentored so many people with wisdom, kindness and the truth. Whatever
I can do for Barb please let me know. I miss you, my friend and colleague,
funny Howie. Sending Light and Love for Howie and his family and friends,
Stephanie Wadell
Metamorphosis happens on Mother Earth. Every butterfly I see
I will be thinking of my dear friend and colleague, the Great Howie.
Love forever,
Stephanie Wadell