BIOGRAPHY OF JULIUS C. RUPP 1905-1995
Julius Christopher Rupp was born on April 26, 1905 in Quincy, IL, to German immigrant father Frederick and mother of German descent, Theresia (Hoene) Rupp. Julius was the youngest of 9 siblings and the only child to obtain a college degree – Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, U of Illinois, in 1927. He graduated from St. Francis Catholic grade school, and Quincy high school. Upon college graduation Julius was hired by US Steel (then Carnegie Steel), Gary Works, Gary, IN, where he served in open hearth operations and the metallurgical department in management responsibilities.
In 1928 Julius was enchanted by a salesgirl at the cigar counter of the Tribe of K, a popular variety store in downtown Gary. Her name was Ella Baudhuin, a second generation girl of French-Belgian ancestry from the Brussels, WI, vicinity where many Belgians settled to farm after emigrating from the Brussels area of Belgium. Ella’s parents initiated farm feed and merchandising businesses in Abrams, WI. Both Julius and Ella were devout people from Catholic families. They married in St. Louis Catholic Church in Abrams, on February 9th, 1929. They began a family with Myron T., the first son, born April 27th, 1931, then James W. was born on February 28, 1933. Both sons were baptized into the Catholic faith at St. Luke’s Church in Gary soon after birth. The family attended St. Luke’s Church on Gary’s East Side, and the boys were schooled at St. Luke’s Grade School through the 8 grades.
In 1938 Julius, at age 33, conducted research on interior coatings of steel ingot molds to achieve an improved ability to lift the molds off of poured steel ingots after they solidified. A laborer assisted him in spraying the interior of the mold with a petroleum-based release agent. The residual fumes in the mold caught fire when Julius and his helper leaned over it to inspect the walls for completeness of the coating. It is suspected their flashlight sparked when being turned on to light up the interior. The ensuing explosion blasted both Julius and the laborer in their faces, causing severe burns and sinter damage to the eyes and skin. They both were thrown off of the 10 foot high platform to the ground. The laborer lost one eye; Julius received a cornea transplant to replace damaged eye tissue; the other eye was filled with sintered particles so that he had about 10% of normal visibility in that eye when he was healed. Vision in the eye with the cornea transplant was significantly diminished because the surface was irregular, causing him to see 10 images of whatever he saw, and it was too small, having been harvested from a baby. Skin was grafted from his body to form new eyelids and replace burned skin. The new eyelids were protective and functional, but didn’t allow complete closure of the eyelids.
Jesus endured crucifixion for the redemption of mankind at age 33. He told his followers to take up their cross and follow Him. Perhaps these thoughts were with Julius as he laid for months in the hospital and at home waiting for healing to be complete. Julius’s goals changed after the accident. While he continued to do productive work in the steel mill in the metallurgical laboratory for the rest of his employment career, he took on a sense of urgency for the spiritual and corporal works of mercy championed by the Lord. Through these years Julius continued to be a good father and husband, participating and encouraging his sons in their activities, and supporting Ella in her participation with her four sisters living in the Gary area, and events important to her. They produced a daughter in 1942, Mary Carol – the object of love and affection of all in the family.
Julius befriended Rev. Andrew Grutka of Holy Trinity Parish in Gary after embarking on his new career of Catholic action and sought his guidance in evening meetings at his rectory in the Central district of Gary. Julius brought the National Congregation of Catholic Men (NCCM) to Gary, was active in the Gary Urban League, the Association of Catholic Trade Unionists, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society, and was an early leader of the Gary Crime Commission. Rev. Grutka sought special recognition for Julius because of his outstanding efforts and accomplishments as a Catholic layman in the Gary area. He petitioned the Bishop, John Francis Noll, of the Fort Wayne Diocese, for papal recognition. Bishop Noll responded and announced in a 1951 letter to Julius of his success in obtaining the desired recognition from Pope Pius XII – Equestrian Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great (KSG). This knighthood is the highest honor the pope has to bestow on lay people – it is granted to worthy distinguished people irrespective of religious belief. The investiture of Julius C. Rupp into the Order of St. Gregory the Great was held at St. Luke’s Church on May 21, 1953 by Bishop Noll, with many clergy and friends in attendance.
Rev. Andrew Grutka was elevated to Bishop of the newly formed Gary Diocese in 1957 – his episcopal motto: “Where There is Charity, There is God,” is typical of his efforts as a pastor, and those of Julius whom he guided. Julius was present at his elevation as part of the honor guard, wearing the knightly uniform of the KSG.
Andrean Catholic High School in Gary was named to honor Bishop Grutka.
Julius was named Knight of the Month by the Gary Chapter of the Knights of Columbus and was honored at a banquet held October 15, 1967. He retired from US Steel in Gary in 1970 and he and Ella moved to South Bend, IN, to participate more fully with his younger son James and family. The older son, Myron T., died in 1979 at age 47 of an unexpected heart attack leaving a wife and 7 young children. In later years Ella developed Alzheimer’s disease – during the 15 years of her ailment Julius was forever at her side, sustaining and visiting when he could no longer care for her alone. After his eye injuries he didn’t drive an auto for many years – he walked where he could, caught rides with friends, or was transported by Ella or their children. In South Bend he found a doctor who specialized in special aids for those with sight impairments. She fitted him with a magnifying adapter that was mounted on the upper portion of his eyeglass – this enabled him to read a sign and numbers sufficient to pass the Indiana vehicle operator’s eye test. This mono-vision gave him the ability to do local chores and visit Ella in the care facility nearby.
Julius took up in South Bend/Mishawaka, IN, where he left off in Gary. He became active in their parish, St. Anthony’s in Mishawaka, continued to receive awards for Catholic and civic action. One was for activity in Harvest House, a Catholic social group fostering programs for the retired; two more were for participation in the selective service board of Mishawaka. He learned that he had lung cancer at age 87 and started undergoing treatment. Up until his death two years later he continued to participate in periodic 24-hr prayer vigils held at various parishes in the area – a friend transported him for those events, sometimes at 2:00am, for an hour each time. Julius was to his family, a Man for All Seasons, and Don Quixote, in addition to Best Dad/Best Husband.
Written by: James W. Rupp, July 4, 2021