Albert Karl Rupp

July 3, 1930 – September 26, 2022

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Albert (Al) Karl Rupp. Al passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on September 26th, 2022, in Rancho Cucamonga, CA at the age of 92.

Al was born in Los Angeles, CA on July 3, 1930, to two German immigrants, Karl Rupp, and Sophie Benz-Rupp. He was a first generation American and an only child.

Although Al did not talk much about his violin playing days, he was an amazing violinist. He took violin lessons as a child from age 8 to 12 and played in the city of Los Angeles Orchestra. Al performed as a solo violinist at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles at age 12. This was only discovered when Jeff found a poster hidden in a box in the garage with a picture of Al and the title, “12-Year-Old Boy Wonder Violinist Performing at the Biltmore Hotel”. Al would later play the violin at family events and at some high school plays when he was prodded by family and friends.

Al was in the Boy Scouts and attained the highest rank of Eagle Scout in 1947.

Al graduated from Marshall High School in 1949 where he ran track. After high school he attended Los Angeles City College where he ran cross country and joined the US Navy Reserves. He went on to serve in the Navy from 1951 to 1952 on the USS Batten CVL-29 aircraft carrier in Asia during the Korean War. He received the Asia Clasp United Nations Good Conduct award. Al was honorably discharged as a Quartermaster Seaman (Q) from the US Navy on June 30, 1952. Al went back to Los Angeles City College where he obtained an AA degree in engineering.

In 1955 he began working for the Los Angeles County Flood Control District as an engineering construction cost estimator, which later became the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. He spent his entire career there, retiring in 1991.

In 1955 he met his wife Betty in a piano bar in Hollywood where a mutual friend introduced them to one another. Both Al and Betty loved to listen to jazz music and sing at piano bars.

On February 8, 1957. Al and Betty were married. He always described that year as being a big one because he got married, bought a house, and had a kid all in the same year.

Al was a wonderful father to his only son Jeff, he taught him to snow ski at an early age, they participated in the YMCA Indian guides together, he coached Jeff’s little league teams, and was always on the sidelines for Jeff’s high school track and cross-country meets. Al and his wife Betty always opened their home to family and friends, even allowing Jeff to throw college parties and use their condo in Mammoth for ski trips.

Al began running again in his mid-40s and participated in many 10k races. He won many awards and usually finished near the top in his age group. At age 56 he participated and completed the Mission Bay Marathon in San Diego.

Al was a member of the Schneeflocken ski club which was the USC ski club. Although Al never attended USC his close friends went there and got him to join. Al continued to ski well into his 70s and was excited when he turned 70 as he could ski for free.

Al spent much of his life as an active member of Christ Lutheran Church in West Covina where he served on the church council, led a youth group, and sang tenor in the church choir. He continued to sing in the choir well into his 80s.

As a grandpa (papa), he was very involved and proud of his two grandchildren. He shared a love for music with his granddaughter Lindsey and a love for baseball with his grandson Troy. He never missed one of Lindsey and Troy’s school events, baseball games, plays, track meets, and musical performances. He was always in the stands or audience cheering them on.

Al is survived by his only child, Jeffrey, and spouse M, and his two grandchildren, Lindsey, and Troy. He will be deeply missed and forever a part of each of us. It is through our Heavenly Fathers love, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, that our hearts will heal, and Al will join his dear wife Betty again after twenty-four years.

The Family asks that you join them in a celebration of life graveside service at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Covina Hills on Friday, November 4th at 10:30am. Forest Lawn is located at 21300 Via Verde Drive, Covina, CA 91724. After the service, please join us at Jeff and M’s house in Rancho Cucamonga. We will provide food and drinks and share some delightful stories and times spent with Al.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stonefuneralhomeupland.com for the Rupp family.