Thomas C. Ruppel

Thomas Conrad Ruppel, 89, of Mt. Lebanon (formerly of Bethel Park), passed away Sunday, May 31, 2020. Thomas was born on June 30, 1930, in Pittsburgh, PA, son of the late Lawrence and Marcella (Rowan) Ruppel.

Mr. Ruppel worked as a research chemist, chemical research engineer, and environmental engineer, most recently at the Department of Energy from 1952-1995. He had been a member of the American Chemical Society since 1952, having held the post of chair of the Pittsburgh section. He was a member of the American Institute of Chemists, The American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Air & Waste Management Association and Toastmasters International. Mr. Ruppel founded and chaired a Department of Energy Conference on Unburned Carbon on Utility Fly Ash (1989-2002) and authored approximately forty publications.

Thomas was an avid hiker including trips on the Appalachian Trail and the Grand Canyon. He enjoyed the outdoors and introduced his family to camping and sailing. He also designed his own soap box car and helped his sons enter local derby races. Thomas is survived by his wife of 62 years, Kathleen (Owens) Ruppel; a brother, Robert Ruppel of Pittsburgh; a sister, Ursula Gordon of Las Vegas NV; four children, John Ruppel of Bethel Park, Anne Marie (Todd) Smith of Mt. Lebanon, Paul (Shari) Ruppel of Moon Township, and David (Jacqui) Ruppel of Superior, CO; and grandchildren, Joshua Smith, Matthew Smith, Brian Ruppel, Neil Ruppel, Zachary Ruppel and Elliott Ruppel. Visitation Wednesday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., FREYVOGEL-SLATER FUNERAL DIRECTORS, (412-835-1860), 112 Fort Couch Rd., Bethel Park, 15241 (Opposite Macy's South Hills Village), Funeral Mass in St. Thomas More Church, Thursday, 9:30 a.m. (Mass limited to 25 people). Burial to follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations on Tom's behalf to Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104 and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, PO Box 99608, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. www.slaterfuneral.com