Brian Lee Rupert

Brian Lee Rupert was born August 19, 1966, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Richard “Duff” and Sandra (Beyer) Rupert. Shortly after Brian was born the family moved to Selmar, California, where he attended grade school and was an All-Star baseball player. In 1977, the family moved to Oregon, where they would settle permanently in Gates. Brian attended Santiam High School and played football and baseball, graduating in 1984. After high school he attended Wyoming Technical Institute, graduating from there in 1991 with a certificate in diesel technology. While visiting a friend’s home in 1992, Brian met his friend’s sister Rhonda and the two were immediately attracted to one another. They went on their first official date on Valentine’s day and were married in Reno the next year on July 3, 1993. The couple settled in Mill City and raised three boys and a girl. After high school and again after graduating from WTI, Brian worked for several logging outfits, enjoying the work until a close call on the job made him redirect his line of work and he began working at Frank Lumber in Mill City. He liked his job as console operator and had an incredibly strong work ethic, rarely missing a day of work. Brian was proud to work for Frank Lumber and thought highly of the owner, Jim Frank, who Brian referred to as Uncle Jim. Brian loved deeply those closest to him and would do anything for all of them, most of all his wife and soulmate, Rhonda. Close friends and family affectionately referred to Brian as “B”. He was a super fun guy and enjoyed time with his family and friends, usually rocking out to Metallica with a cold Coors Light. In 2017, Brian got to check off a bucket list item when was able to go see Metallica in concert. Brian enjoyed hunting, riding dirt bikes, guns and shooting, weekend trips to the coast with his wife, and gambling at the casinos. He was also a die-hard Chevy and Nascar fan. Brian fell ill suddenly and passed away unexpectedly just a few days later, on January 15, 2021. He will be deeply missed by the family he leaves behind including his beloved wife of 29 years Rhonda; parents “Duff” and Sandra; sons David (Des), Michael, and Keith; daughter Kayla Wilson; grandkids Zak, Owen, Hunter, MacLee and Raelee; brother Brent; and brother from another Joe.