Obituary of Frank B. Rupp

Stamford, CT – Frank B. Rupp, 89, was called peacefully to heaven on February 2, 2018. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Doris Leary, his two sons Frank and Bob (Amy) Rupp, his two daughters Isabella (Steve) Rosborough and Theresa (Michael) Fox, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Born in Queens, NY, on February 12, 1928, he and Doris called Northport their home where they resided for 58 years.

Frank began his career as an artist at 10 years old, painting animal portraits and still lifes for neighbors. He attended Music and Art High School in Manhattan on full scholarship. After two years as a signalman in the U.S. Navy, Frank’s next tour of duty was pitching for the Detroit Tigers farm club, having been recruited by them as well as the N.Y. Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers. After an injury sidelined his pitching career, Frank returned to his first love, art. He continued his studies at the Art Students League and The Workshop School of Design. He worked for 18 years at BBDO Advertising as Senior Art Director. After his favorite client convinced him to switch teams, Frank spent over the next 25 years at the Pepsi Cola Company as Senior Vice President. His duties were twofold: Head of Creative Services and Executive Producer. His award-winning achievements included designing Pepsi’s first internationally ubiquitous logo in 1971, as well as producing over 200 conventions in over 24 countries: from Tina Turner on-stage in Diamond Head Volcano to Aida at the Temple of Luxor in Egypt. He received over 80 awards during his career, including the Gold Medal in 1982 at the International Film and Television Festival of NY. Frank did design work for both 20^th Century Fox and Disney/Universal Studios, including the original creation of the world famous “It’s a Small World” ride.

A devout Catholic and charitable soul, Frank donated his creative design talents to many institutions, including Fairfield University, his beloved St. Philip Neri Church, Northport town’s centennial logo design and a “Welcome Home” from Iraq and Afghanistan to honor Army and Air Force veterans of the Hawaiian National Guard. In 1996, Frank retired from his rich corporate career and returned to his first career, painting, which he did prolifically throughout the balance of his life.

Services will be held in Northport at Nolan Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 6 from 4-8pm, with a funeral mass at St. Philip Neri Church on Wednesday, February 7 at 10:00 a.m. A military honored burial will follow at St. Philip Neri Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to JDRF, 200 Connecticut Avenue Suite 4E, Norwalk, CT 06854 or to the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Boulevard Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489.