Dr., Dr. Ferdinand Alexander Hallet Ruplin

Ruplin Dr. Ferdinand Alexander Hallet Ruplin III, 68, Professor Emeritus of Germanic and Slavic languages at SUNY Stony Brook, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 21st, 2002 after a brave battle against prostate cancer. Born July 22nd, 1934 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the son of Ferdinand Alexander Hallet Junior and wife Kathryn Hennessey Hallet Ruplin. Dr. Ruplin's career began at the University of Minnesota where he received his PhD in Middle High German Literature and was an instructor of German. In 1963, he began his tenure at the State University of New York at Stony Brook where he was chairman of the German Department and pioneered the computer assisted language program CAI with IBM. Dr. Ruplin was highly respected by both colleagues and students in the classroom for his maverick teaching methods. He was recognized with numerous teaching awards and was featured in several New York Newsday articles. Dr. Ruplin's writing accomplishments include ``Basic German,'' a textbook and instructional program for beginning German students as well as numerous publications in linguistic scholarly journals. His writing was not limited to linguistics and ranged from written manuals on India and Pakistan for the Peace Corps to poetry. His poetry is sensitive and poignant has been published in selected collections. Dr. Ruplin along with his wife Lois recently completed several children's stories including ``Sarah and the Gypsies'' soon out for publication. He was preceded in death by his sister, Muriel Hallet Milstein; and stepfather, F. Warren Ruplin. Survivors in addition to his wife, Lois Weiner Ruplin, include his five loving children: Sarah Ruplin and fiance Robert Fischer of Brooklyn, NY, Timothy Ruplin and his wife Heather of Port Jefferson, NY, Warren Ruplin of Riverhead, NY, Christopher Ruplin and fiance Andrea Southworth of Shoreham, NY, Ferdinand Ruplin and his wife Loretta of Stony Brook, NY; his sister, Mary Soosie Quinn of White Bear Lake, MN; his brother, Thomas Ruplin and wife Susan of Minneapolis, MN; his grandchildren, Chelsea, Ferdinand, Amanda, Rebecca, Katelyn, Victoria; mother- and father-in-law, Paul and Dolores Weiner; sisters-in-law, June, Jill and husband Tom, Lynn and husband Steve, Diane and husband Ron, Dale and husband Ron; brothers-in-law, Paul and wife Ann Weiner, Gary Weiner; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, grandnephews, and grandnieces, and many friends. Memorial services will be announced in the spring. Inurnment will be at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery 200 Duell Rd. Schuyllerville. Memorials may be made to the Town of Chester Public Library, St. Rte. 9, Chestertown, NY 12817. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Barton-McDermott Funeral Home, 9 Pine Street, Chestertown, NY 12817.

Published on December 24, 2002