Harold M. and Norine L. Rupp

Harold Rupp was born in Owendale in 1917, and moved to Bay City in 1938, where he resided the rest of his life. He attended Bay City Business College and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in World War II. He was married to Norine Turnell for 64 years, until her death in 2006. He founded Rupp Oil Company in 1958 and later purchased and operated Alpena Oil Company and Northwood Oil Company in Cheboygan.

Mr. Rupp was very active in his community, and served on the Board of Directors (past president) of the Bay City Boys and Girls Club of Bay County, and was a member of the Bay City Lions Club for 60 years. He was a member of many additional organizations. Mr. Rupp was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame by the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. He believed in hard work and trying new things.

Mr. and Mrs. Rupp believed that personal reinvestment in community is an obligation of those who have achieved success, and were generous contributors to charitable causes. Mr. and Mrs. Rupp wanted to make educational opportunities available to the leaders of tomorrow, and established the endowed scholarship fund in 1999.