Richard Lewis Rupe

A warm and energetic presence in the lives of all those lucky enough to know and love him, Richard Rupe truly made the most of each and every moment he was given. He was a constant source of strength, no matter the circumstances, and he found so much joy in the simple moments spent outdoors or surrounded by family and friends. Richard’s loved ones were undoubtedly his greatest treasure, and he led his family with wisdom and integrity. His witty sense of humor and contagious laughter brought every room to life. Already so greatly missed, Richard will be forever loved and remembered.

The late 1960s were years of great social and cultural change for those living in the United States of America. The Vietnam War still raged overseas, calling countless servicemen away from home. In the world of entertainment, iconic artists such as the Rolling Stones and the Beatles topped the charts, and Star Trek was just one of many popular television shows that defined the era. It was during these influential years that Richard Lewis made his entrance into the world. Born on October 26 of 1968, Richard was welcomed into the family by his mother and two older siblings, Ralph and Tammy. Before too long, Richard would become a big brother himself to his younger sister, Doris.

Throughout his childhood, Richard was a typical boy of his generation in many ways. He grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Richard’s mother worked various jobs to support the children as a single mom, and she held a position at General Motors for a time. Richard attended local Comstock schools. He was very smart, although formal education was never a good fit. Richard was a rebel from a young age with a stubborn streak that would stick with him for the rest of his life. As a young teenager, he would land himself in trouble by skipping school. Richard would often stain his feet green from sneaking out of his bedroom window barefoot.

In his younger years, Richard put his endless energy to good use through his love of playing all kinds of sports. He enjoyed playing football and basketball, and he typically played shortstop and catcher in baseball. Richard could be found passing his time hitting a baseball over the trees at the edge of the trailer park. He had some amazing coaches who poured into him over the years, cultivating his talent and teaching him discipline through athletics. Richard never graduated and instead stepped directly into his work at Summit Polymers. He would work at a couple of other places before building his career with WDP Plastics, where he worked for over 10 years as a supervisor.

It was through his work that Richard met the woman who would eventually become the love of his life. Her name was Delora, and she worked in quality control while he worked in production. At first, Richard and Delora did not get along at all. He was known for his short temper, and the two often clashed. With time, however, both Richard and Delora began to soften towards one another, and their relationship shifted. One day, Richard asked Delora to have a drink at Main Street Pub. They chatted about work, and that first date led to many more. After a long “grace period” of dating, Richard and Delora were married in Paw Paw on May 21, 2011. The newlyweds celebrated with a reception at Mattawan Community Center.

Of all the things Richard loved in life, his family came first. He thrived in his role as a father to his three daughters, Megan, Katelyn, and Kelsey. Richard highly valued quality time spent with the girls, and he loved pulling them on the boat so they could tube. He hosted Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners each year. Richard liked making the Christmas season memorable by cutting down a tree at Walhoff Farms while everyone enjoyed popcorn and pop. Richard also enjoyed going out to visit family in Washington and Arizona. He and Delora were both members of a Wednesday night bowling league.

In 2012, Richard and his family suffered a devastating blow with the loss of their daughter, Katelyn, to leukemia in 2012. During this trying time, he took over the care of Katleyn’s six month old puppy, Zoe. Richard’s beloved Russian blue cat, Smoke, was considered to be a part of the family as well. Later on, Richard was thrilled to become a doting grandfather to Ben and Elana. His grandkids filled him with a fresh zeal for life and continued to bring him so much joy. Forever a kid at heart, he loved running around with Ben. The two bonded over fishing, shooting hoops, riding bikes, and terrorizing others with their squirt guns. Richard considered himself so blessed to watch his family flourish.

In their free time, Richard and Delora did all kinds of fun activities together. They loved bass fishing off the boat and competing in Sunday fishing tournaments. Richard also enjoyed ice fishing in the winters and mushroom hunting in the springtime. He lived for spending time in the great outdoors, whether it was spent out on the water or caring for the yard and gardens with Delora right by his side. Richard’s constant companion, Zoe, and his Dodge Ram were among his most prized possessions. His man cave truly reflected his personality, filled with beer signs, deer, fish, and countless baseball caps. Richard enjoyed grilling, watching Bass Master, and changing the radio station to whatever sounded good in the moment, which drove everyone else crazy. He was an avid fan of football and the University of Michigan team. Richard’s favorite films were typically action or Western movies, and he especially loved The Matrix and anything with Keanu Reeves. He was always happiest when surrounded by the friends and family he loved so much.

As we gather to reflect on the overflowing life of Richard Rupe, it is easy to celebrate a man who served as a shining example of kindness. He possessed a solid work ethic that allowed him to provide for those who depended on him. A devoted husband, father, uncle, and grandfather, Richard’s family was the focus of his life, and his love for his family members and friends was both fierce and unconditional. His quiet generosity has touched the lives of so many for the better. Although he will be so dearly missed, Richard leaves behind a priceless legacy that his loved ones will be proud to carry on in his footsteps.

Richard had an undiagnosed medical condition that just proved to be too much. Sadly, hope was lost and Richard died on May 22, 2026. He was preceded in death by his daughter Katelyn; brother, Ralph Rupe; sister, Doris Floyd, maternal grandparents: Chester and Helen Rupe; father and mother-in-law, Donald and Josephine Zantello, and nephew, Kevin Lamaster. Family includes his wife, Delora; daughters: Kelsey and Megan; grandchildren: Ben and Elana; mother, Dorothy Floyd; sister, Tammy Rupe and her children: Ashley Lamaster and Brandi (Ian) VanDyke; in-laws; Ruben and Shelley Dela Cruz and Michael and Naiomi Zantello and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us in a Life Story Visitation, where food, drinks, and stories will be shared on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 5–7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, (269) 375-2900. A Life Story Service celebrating a remarkable life will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 11 AM. Celebrate Richard’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.