JEFF RUPP, FUHS TEACHER DIED 2-25-2011

Published: Feb. 15, 2011

Updated: Feb. 16, 2011 11:57 a.m.
Campus mourns a teacher's passing
By LOU PONSI
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jeff Rupp, a popular Fullerton Union High School teacher, was seriously injured in a traffic collision last month. He died Friday. A memorial has formed at his classroom on campus with messages from fromer and current students.
FULLERTON UNION HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK PHOTO

FULLERTON – Current and former students of Fullerton Union High School created a memorial in front of the campus and another just outside the classroom door. They gathered there Tuesday and remembered, the first day back at school since the popular teacher died.

Candles, notes and mementoes were laid at the base of the school's marquee at Chapman and Pomona avenues and in and around the classroom of social studies teacher Jeff Rupp, 58, who died Friday from injuries suffered in a collision with a car while riding his 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycle last month.

Published: Feb. 27, 2011

Updated: Feb. 28, 2011 4:44 p.m.
Students, friends remember beloved teacher, 'Rupp'
By LOU PONSI
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
FULLERTON – The life of the beloved teacher known to his students simply as "Rupp" was celebrated Sunday by close to 1,400 people at the Plummer Auditorium.
Family members, friends, co-workers and current and former students remembered Fullerton Union High School Social Studies teacher Jeff Rupp, 58, who died Feb.11 as a result of injuries suffered in a collision with a car while riding his 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycle Jan.19.
Rupp, a Vietnam War veteran and district Teacher of the Year in 2007, was honored with songs and words.
Molly Gutman, a 2002 Fullerton Union High graduate, said her former teacher would regularly spend his lunch breaks and after-school hours mentoring students.
Rupp, who began teaching at Fullerton Union High School in 1993, would also stay connected with former students for years they graduated, she said.
"Teaching was not an 8 o'clock to 3 o'clock job to him," Gutman said. "He would do everything, and I do mean everything, to help us."
Army 1st Sgt. Richard Duran, who commands the school's ROTC students, described Rupp as an avid motorcycle enthusiast. The pair rode together to bike shows and rallies.
"We just enjoyed riding with no real destination," Duran said.

http://www.ocregister.com/news/students-290035-rupp-school.html

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http://www.ocregister.com/articles/rupp-288475-school-campus.html?pic=1

The Boy Scouts and Kate Smith

This e-mail came to me from Gene "Jones" Matthews, FUHS '53
A Little Nostalgia (author unknown)
Don’t know how many of you remember Kate Smith, but she was one very special woman. Here is her story and her song. Guaranteed to give you 'goose bumps'!
A Real Star.............In case you don't know it, this is the person referred to as "The Fat Lady" in the trite verbalization of "It's not over till the fat lady sings".
Kate Smith was born and grew up in Columbia, Missouri ! In early 1940, Kate Smith, a fiercely patriotic American, and the biggest star on radio, was deeply worried about her country. She asked Irving Berlin if he could give her a song that would re-ignite the spirit of American patriotism and faith. He said he had a song that he had written in 1917, but never used it. He said she could have it.
She sat at the piano & played it and realized how good it was. She called Mr. Berlin and told him that she couldn't take this from him for nothing. So, they agreed that any money that would be made off the song would be donated to the Boy Scouts of America .. Thanks to Kate Smith and Irving Berlin, the Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties.
This clip is from the movie "You're in the Army Now". You will see a familiar face (near the very end) that we are all very proud of.
Frank Sinatra said that when Kate Smith, whom he considered the greatest singer of his age, first sang this song on the radio, a million guys got 'dust' in their eyes and had to wipe the tears the 'dust' caused. If you can watch and listen without 'dust' getting in your eyes, you have no soul.
Sit back and enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnQDW-NMaRs

AND THEN IT IS WINTER

And Then It Is Winter (author unknown)
(E-mailed to Marlene Anson Conrad, FUHS ’53 from Earl Gibson, ’53)

You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.
It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went.
I know that I lived them all...
And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams... But, here it is..the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise... How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?
I remember well...seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like... But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting gray...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me... but, I see the great change... Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant... but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore...it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will..I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!!
But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over...its over....Yes , I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done ,,,,,things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime....
So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!!
Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!
You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for good today and
say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...
and hope that they
appreciate and love you
for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!
'Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after.
Make it a fantastic one.'
LIVE IT WELL!!----ENJOY TODAY!!!!-----DO SOMETHING FUN!!!----
BE HAPPY!!!----BE THANKFUL!!!!!

(The e-mail version is nicely formatted. E-mail me if you want me to send you a copy.)
CVANHORN@PACBELL.NET

WILLIE HUDSON, FUHS '50

Sharon Gregory McConnell, FUHS '50, sent this sad e-mail message:

Just to let you know that Willie Hudson class '50 passed away Jan.31st


after a freak accident. He was living in Hemet at the time of his death.

Sharon