One image of him that I have is when I "recruited" him to help with the Family House race very early on a Saturday morning. He rolled out of bed to do it (and probably went back there afterward!). As he stood there, unshaven in some old sweat clothes he had thrown on--but nevertheless grinning--I remember thinking that I could not have talked my own children into being there (they were not in town, so I had an excuse!)--but there was Nick!
Dawn
I, as so many others at this website, had the pleasure of meeting Nick through my employment at the Sachs Group. Nick was the first person at Sachs to extend his friendship to me, as he was so ought to do with newer employees. Nick may have been one of the most outgoing people that the Sachs Group had, yet the receptionist, and quite a few others there never seemed to know who he was.
I remember during a one week period of time, a number of sales leads came in to the receptionist for Nick, and the receptionist had no clue who he was. Nick, partially frustrated and partially joking, mentioned to me that he thought he needed a PR campaign to raise his top of mind awareness within his own company. He had no idea what he was in for.
With the help of other Sachs types, we "borrowed" Nick's drivers license and proceeded to scan the photo and create an awareness campaign for Nick. Some of the super clever statements were "I'm Nick Ruppman, that's Ruppman with two Ps." and "I'm Nick Ruppman, I try to sell things." These posters were spread throughout the office, including the restrooms and downstairs lobby. Being the type of person he was, all Nick said to me was "couldn't you use a better picture of me... the State didn't capture my good side." After the PR campaign, Nick won the Raising Star Award at Sachs and would always give me credit for his win. He never would accept that it was his hard work and skills as a salesman that helped him achieve his accomplishment.
Over the years, Nick has become one of my closest friends, and my friendship with him allowed me to experience a number of things I will never forget (most of which took place within a 1 1/2 square block area of his apartment).
Even though Nick is gone, I have this feeling he will live on in every side-pocket shot in a pool game, every moist Kleenex that we are drying-out, and every car repair purchase from NAPA.
John Dietrich
I had just started at Sachs Group - Feb 1996 - One night a group of us were at a bar called Guthries which encourages game playing as they have shelves of board games, decks of cards etc. Nick arrived late on this particular night, and four of us were involved in a heated game of Euchre. As Nick backed away from our table he bumped into a waitress carrying an entire tray of drinks which came to a booming crash in front of the entire bar. She was very mad, but Nick held his cool, apologized profusely, and even gave her money to cover the damages and smooth things over.
Soon after, Erin Shaw (another new Sachs person he had recently met who started on the same day as me) was ready to leave, and after Nick's fiasco with the waitress, so was he. Outside of the bar, as he was loosening the chain on his bike, he noticed Erin waiting for a cab so he decided to wait with her. When the cab pulled up, Nick put his bike in the back of the cab and rode with Erin to her apartment which was over a mile past his house at 2610 Orchard. He then made sure she got in ok, and rode his bike home.
Erin and I couldn't stop talking about that incident for weeks. Soon after we found out that there were reports of a rapist in Lincoln Park and Nick wanted to make sure that Erin made it home safely.
Camille McGarrity
Thinking of the happy times is what I've been doing, so let me share one with you.
Nick got us a meeting with a 401(k) prospect. When I heard the name, I said "Good for you. I could never pin down that lady in all the years I called her so I finally gave up." On our way up in the car Nick gave me lowdown and said we'd be meeting with 5 people. I was impressed. Nick must have been very persuasive to get the whole department to be interested in our presentation.
We get there and we give our presentation. The main contact, Donna, is as cold as ice. We're talking cold with a capital "COLD". Nothing we said or did loosened her up. Even her staff looked at us apologetically. Nick and I never talked about how a presentation went until we got all the way out of the building--you never know who else is in the elevator. So we got out of this building, looked at each other, and absolutely cracked up. I didn't think Nick was going to be able to get in the car he was laughing so hard. He started to say something like "sorry I wasted your time" and I said "don't be ridiculous. How could you ever have known you were cold calling the wicked witch of the midwest." When we cleared our tears of laughter and started looking for our main hot dog place to stop for lunch (for some reason there was a Portillo's in every town we drove to. Do you think Nick did that intentionally?) we both agreed it was one of our best appointments because it was definitely the best comic relief we had all month.
Monica Guttman
To narrow down to one memory of Nick is virtually impossible, but one particular weekend stands out. You see Nick had an idea to go white water kayaking a few years back:
Anytime Nick had an idea he realized he needed a plan for his friends to buy into it. So Nick combines three friends from different times in his life. Mike Johnston from high school, Rich Gallun from work and me from college etc. One great thing about Nick is that he did not compartmentalize his friends. He could combine all of us without a problem.
One trick Nick liked to share was his ability to go under the water and pop right back up. Then he would turn to me and coolly ask, ''can you do that?'' Knowing perfectly well that in an open canoe I had a better chance of drowning than surviving a maneuver. Well, Nick and Mike laughed and laughed.
I thought maybe my saving grace was the Saturday night ''Paddle Dance''. Nick had Mike and I so excited. We walked into the hall and there were around 20 women there but they were all under the age of 12. And the strongest drink was Hawaiian Punch! Well you should have heard his laugh. It bellowed through the dance hall, through the river canyon walls and echoed over the water. It is that laughter that will echo in our memories forever.
In the life of Nick Ruppman we gained someone who loved, laughed and lived with family, co-workers and friends.
We thank you Nick for years of listening to our problems, not judging us, showing us how to love, the respect you showed for your parents, grandparents and family, being a role model for our children and loving Sherrie as only you knew how. We thank you for 30 years of love, laughter and friendship and most importantly today we thank you for a lifetime of memories.
We will miss you my friend.
Bob Kime
One story comes to mind...In 1994, Nick and I were assigned the challenge of developing a completely new business for the Sachs Group. By mid-year, we had little to show for our efforts; we were in dire need of some revenues. But somebody at the Sachs Group had uncovered a great lead for us in Northern Wisconsin. So we drove the six hours up North to meet with the big shots at the Marshfield Clinic, a prestigious prospect. We were convinced that this was going to be the big deal to launch our business onto successful ground. We woke up early for a 7:30am meeting and pitched our wares. The Marshfield folks responded favorably to our presentation. Once we explained our pricing, however, the Marshfield folks let us know that they liked our products but that there was no way that they could afford them. On the other hand, they appreciated our making the trip and, as a gift of appreciation, they gave Nick and me special Marshfield Clinic pens.
Nick and I celebrated this gift with a big breakfast at the Hardee's in town, and a bigger chuckle at how our six hour trip had resulted in such good fortune. We laughed about the Marshfield Clinic pens the rest of the year, and in time, we fortunately found some paying customers. Nick's sense of humor about this trip typified his ability to make any adventure fun. Nick is somebody you just wanted on your team.
Rich Gallun
I was very moved by the words that people said at the service and at the grave site. Especially Sherrie's. More than the pictures, her words gave me a clear image of Nick again. And his friend Rich and Bob's stories reminded me of Nick's contagious sense of humor, and how good he could make other people feel.
Now that I have read these stories about Nick I want to read more. I felt sad again reading what his friends had to say, but I also laughed and almost felt like Nick was around.
I'm looking forward to updates at the site.
Mike Schaueret
I have some nice news - our wedding is in a magazine called Wedding Bells and one of the photographs they published has a group of us, including our dear best man ever Nick, aboard the trolley. It is available at bookstores and newsstands around the country, etc. if you'd like to have anyone pick one up in remembrance. We are so glad he is a part of the publication with us.
Debi Lilly
My name is John Birmingham. I am a friend of Nick's from college (Phi Psi) and had the good fortune to live here in Chicago with Nick post college. While many people enter and exit a person's life during their time on earth, a special few leave a lasting impression and really make a differrence in the lives of those they meet. I can unequivocally say that I am a better person for having known and been friends with Nick.
I want to thank everyone for writing in and sharing so many great stories. I think they all really captured the essence of Nick...caring, funny, respectful, sincere, big heart - and, obviously, his infectious, hearty laugh.
I want to again extend my sympathies to Nick's parents, family and to Sherrie. As has been said by so many before me, my hope and prayer for you is that the passage of time will help ease the pain and allow the wonderful, joyful memories you have of Nick to more completely occupy your hearts and minds. Please know that although the days, months, and years may pass, you all will continue to be in our prayers
For my reflection on Nick, I am going to revert back to something Nick really enjoyed deeply - sports.
From the time we met at Miami to the last time we saw each other, sports was a common bond for Nick and I. Whether it was him arguing about the 1989 Illini being the greatest college basketball team in history, Lou Henson being the greatest coach in history or touting the accomplishments of his beloved Bulls, sports was always a topic we gravitated to. In addition to talking sports, we also enjoyed entering the field of competition together. In college, there was the pinnacle Greek Week. Post college it was social club football, basketball or an occassional pick up game.
Some people in society may contend that sports is really petty and superficial. However those who play and watch sports realize that it is much deeper than that. So much can be told about a person from this so-called "recreational" pursuit...a person's character, work ethic, leadership abilities, heart, ability to communicate and connect with others - the list goes on. I found this to be especially true with respect to Nick. Of all the attributes listed above, Nick excelled on each - both on and off the field of play.
To try and illustrate this, I will leave you with one specific example.
Three years ago I decided to start an annual event/competition called Quest For The Best. It was intended to be a weekend for guys to get together, reignite those competitive fires, drink beer and just "be guys". The group of competitors is a mix of guys I attended high school and college with. While there wasn't a premium placed on winning, as is the case when guys and egos are involved, everyone competed like we were still in high school and more importantly, in shape. So despite the 100+ degree temperatures and strained muscles, cuts etc, everyone gave one hundred percent. Nick was no exception.
There were a couple of things that will always stand out to me about these two innaugural years of Quest For The Best. First, next to me, Nick was the most passionate about this event and was one of its biggest supporters (he'd talk it up, offer to help etc.). Second, in the two years we held the competition, there was only one person who won it both years (teams rotate year to year) - Nick. And last, and most importantly, as I alluded to before, the competitors in QFTB consisted of a mix of my high school and college friends - many of whom had never met before. Of all the guys there each year, Nick was the one who had the easiest time meeting and, after a matter of two days, becoming good friends with the whole bunch. When I told my high school friends of Nick's death, they too felt a profound loss - even though they knew him only briefly. Nick had a way of making a lasting impression.
As I look ahead to this summer, I approach Quest of the Best with a heavy heart knowing that one of it's greatest champions, in every sense of the word, will not be able to be there in person. I've even given some thought to postponing until next year. Yet, what I come back to (without sounding cliche') is that Nick would want us to carry on.
One final note. When I started the competition, I wanted a way to give this event some allure, especially for the winners. So the first year, I went to a trophy shop and bought a gold cup (known as the Quest Cup) that over the years could be handed out to the winning teams. For posterity, after each Quest I engrave the names of the members of the winning team.
Starting this year, the Quest Cup will be renamed, and has already been engraved to read, "Rup Cup" in honor and memory of our great friend Nick.
God Bless.
John Birmingham
Mr. R
Thank you for the letter from John. He is truly a great man. We all had a lot of fun during the Quest but Nick especially was fired up. Everyone wanted Nick on their team, not because he was the best athlete but because he worked so hard for his team. He would do anything. In fact he guarded me last year on the basketball court. Giving away a lot of size he was determined to do whatever it took. I threw him to the ground and his competitive spirit got him right back up. Well needless to say his team won the game and the whole thing.
After all the games, Nick was the first person to grab a beer and sit down with anyone for a chat. He always seemed so interested in others. Mind you he didn't miss an opportunity to remind us all the he was the champ AGAIN, with a little jab of humor. John was right, we must go on but all of us will play the game a little differently. Maybe with a little more passion or maybe we will all just appreciate what we have a little more.
Best wishes
Bob
Bernie Gehret
About five years ago we had lunch up in Evanston when I was in the Chicago area and caught up with him on all the news. He seemed to be doing well in his position. I had not been in touch with him since then.
Sister Joann Plumpe, OP
Adrian, Michigan
Dear Aunt Jone (Joan) and Uncle Walt,
This is for you becaus (because) I know you still miss Big Big Nick. I do to. I will have to wait about 80 years befour (before) I see him again. First I will smile at him and hug him and then we will restel (wrestle). This is a prety (pretty) thing and you can put in your garin (garden). When you see it you can see Big Big Nick. I had monie (money) left over.
Goodbye.
Love,
Granty M.
Taped to the note were a quarter, three dimes and a nickel.
I am not sure if you would remember me or not. I was friends with Nick from a very young age. We must have been 8 or 9 when we started playing Baseball together. My dad, Ed, coached us for several seasons and was always grateful keeping him on the team. He would refer to Nick as the most coachable kid on the team. I kept in touch with Nick over the years through High School. I lost touch with him after graduation but would hear stories that included him through mutual friends for years to follow. Hearing the stories of current day events that included Nick would always take me back to a memory of some childhood prank or antic that we has shared. He would always have a smile on his face or I would hear that goofy laugh when I would think of the times we shared. He was truly a remarkable individual that I feel grateful for having known. This loss has undoubtedly been immeasurable for your family. I will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Respectfully,
Jim Sullivan
I am sitting here at my computer at 3:30am very early on a Monday morning, and I am stunned. In shock. And suddenly very sad. I am so very sorry for the loss and suffering you and your family have experienced over Nick’s death, even more than four years after the fact.
I was sitting here, thinking about various people from high school. Old friends, people I knew from class, and others. I did a search on Google for Nick and I pulled up the websites built as memorials to him. I am bereft for more reasons than I could ever explain in a simple email message.
I was a student at WaCoHi in the mid-80’s, a year ahead of Nick. I graduated in 1986. Nick and I played on the tennis team together, took PE and classes together, and were friends in that strange way that some people are friends in high school even though peer pressure and cliques keep them apart. At least I think we were friends.
I remember Nick because he would not only ask me to join his group in Advanced Calculus, but he would help me in tennis, and he would help me with sports in PE class, too. Among other fears and embarrassments, I was an uncoordinated, shy, gangly, abject geek in high school. I could play tennis (barely), but I was hopeless at any other sport. And I was the stereotypical kid always picked last for the kickball team, too. The “jocks” at WaCoHi sneered at me, pushed me around as a weakling and a nerd, called me a “faggot” and names too derogatory to state here.
But not Nick. I mean, this is what I remember about him most. When we played basketball in PE class, he would always match up against me. He would say to his teammates, “You guys take the others. Joel has height—he’s dangerous. Someone has to contain him.” And I would just smile at him. I would beam. Inside, I would feel just so happy because here was Nick, linebacker on the football team, stud at track, shining star of the “jock” clique calling me (ME of all people) “dangerous.”
I knew he what he was doing—he’d play against me just slightly above my own ability, just a bit above me, to test me. No, to make me test myself and to force me to stretch myself. To do better than others thought I could do, to do better than even I myself thought I could do. Once, after tennis practice, Nick and I were chatting and I thanked him for helping me in sports. I said that I knew I wasn’t that good, that I’d never be that good, but I appreciated the fact that he pushed me anyway. He turned to me and he said, “It’s not that you suck, Joel, it’s that you haven’t found the right sport yet.”
I was never any good at sports until I discovered hockey ten years ago. I am goalie, and a damn good one. If we’d had a hockey team in high school, I might have earned a college scholarship. Instead, I discovered the sport when I was 25 and I’ve stuck with it ever since. It was the first and only sport I’ve ever been good at. I don’t know how or why, but I had a natural talent and affinity for playing goalie. In the summer of 1996, I managed to pull two shut-outs in two different championship series—one for the Corvallis (Oregon) Recreational Hockey League Championships and one for the Oregon State Roller Hockey Championships (B Division). I cried after winning both championships. To be able to be part of a championship team—at any level—was such a bizarre twist on my life it was overpowering. And after both games, I thought of Nick. Because he was right. When none of the other guys in the “jocks” clique in high school even deigned to acknowledge my existence, he took the time to not only help me, but give me a chance for inspiration. I finally realized—I finally truly understood—that I didn’t suck at ALL sports, I just hadn’t found the right sport for me until I discovered hockey.
After reviewing the websites in his honor, I assume that he committed suicide. I cannot express the feelings I have right now. I have skirted the edge of suicide twice in my life—once at the age of 17 and once only a few years ago—and to learn about Nick’s death is (personally) quite painful. Not nearly as painful as what you have experienced, I’m sure, but painful nonetheless. And as we are taught, shared suffering is redemptive. I wish to offer you, your family, and Nick’s fiance’ not only my grief, not only my sympathy, but some sense of empathy. I will make a donation to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and I will light a candle in remembrance of him when I go to mass on Christmas Day.
I am so very sorry for so many things surrounding Nick’s death. I wish you, your family, and his fiance’ continued healing. I doubt is there anything I can do to help you, but if anything does come to mind, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.
--Joel--
--Joel Corcoran--
927 W Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Home: 202-667-5493
Cell: 503-381-5251
Work: 202-508-8866
Web: http://www.reluctantcynic.com
Email: joel@joelcorcoran.com