George Miller Ruppel of Bridge‑ hampton died on July 20 at South‑ ampton Hospital. He was 87.
Born August 5, 1921, in Bridgehampton, he was the 12th of 13 children and the last surviving sibling.
A graduate of Bridgehampton High School, he was a lifelong resident of Bridgehampton except during World War II, when he was stationed in Italy. As one of his duties, he drove a general through dangerous territory many times when no one else would volunteer. He had several close calls and escaped without harm by following his instincts. He was awarded the Bronze Star.
Mr. Ruppel and his wife, Ruthe Ruppel, who predeceased him, raised their three children at his home on Chester Street ,which a brother helped him to build. Early on in his career, he worked with his family as a mason and later turned to carpentry.
Growing flowers was always one of his hobbies. A gladiolus he originated, to which he assigned the name Big Daddy, was named an All American in the early 1970s. After retiring, he grew flowers and sold them to local farm stands.
He is survived by two daughters, Sandra Ruppel and Karen Corwith, both of Water Mill, and three grandchildren, David Hugel, Eric Corwith and Kimberley Corwith. He was predeceased by a son, George Ruppel.
The family received visitors on July 22 at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral service was scheduled for today, Thursday, July 23, at 11 a.m., at the Bridgehampton United Methodist Church. Interment with military honors will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Bridgehampton Fire Department Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 1280, Bridgehampton, NY 11932 would be appreciated by the family.
on Jul 22, 2009