Bernard Wayne "Bud" Kuper

Bernard Wayne “Bud” Kuper

Bernard Wayne “Bud” Kuper, 88 of Stanardsville, VA died on Friday, November 18, 2011 at his home in the presence of loved family members. He was born on February 12, 1923 in Miller, South Dakota to the late Joseph and Mary Koeck Kuper.

Wayne was a 30 year veteran of the United States Navy, serving his country in WWII, the Korean War and as a reservist in the Vietnam War. He was a founding member of Shepherd of the Hills Catholic Church and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. During his tours of duty, he served aboard the US Naval Destroyers: USS LeRoy Fltinge, USS Mount McKinley, USS Grand Canyon, USS McNair, USS Wadleigh and USS Shenandoah. His cousin, Kenneth Kuper of Custer, SD was the first US Marine killed in WWII on Corregidor. During his military career, he received a US Patent for inventing the Breech Block Removal Tool, which ultimately saved the lives of many US Navy shipmates. After discharge from the Navy, Wayne became a Weapons Engineer with Vitro Laboratories in Wheaton, MD, then moved to Stanardsville, VA, where he drove the school bus for Greene County. He loved his passengers and they loved him.

He was a majestic man and looked splendid in his western attire – although living on the east coast much of his life, he never gave up his roots and told intriguing stories of living out west and riding and mending the fences on his parents ranch. He was always proud of his interactions with members of the Lakota Indian Tribe, whose reservation was a short horse ride from his home place.

He met the love of his life, Ruth Dixon Gosnell in Danville, VA on September 19, 1945 and married her 32 hours later on September 20, 1945. They’ve been married 66 years. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, 3 sisters, 4 brothers, 9 children: Carolyn Motameni and her husband, Daryoush of Stanardsville, VA, Kathy Poland and her husband, Paul of Oak Island, NC, Steve Kuper and his wife, Susan of Laurel, MD, Cindy Varrieur and her husband, Paul of Marietta, GA, Alisa Lam and her husband, Dale of Stanardsville, VA, Maurice Kuper and his wife, Penny of Stanardsville, VA, Brian Kuper of Phillipsburg, NJ, Eric Kuper of Earlysville, VA and Scott Kuper of Stanardsville, VA, 22 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, 1 sister, and a grandson, Timothy Daniel Kuper.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 20, 2011 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ryan Funeral Home, 12819 Spotswood Trail Ruckersville, VA 22968.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 21, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Catholic Church with Father Dan Bain officiating.

A procession will depart from Ryan Funeral Home at 11:45 on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 for an interment in Culpeper National Cemetery at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his name to Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Pkwy, Suite 300 Charlottesville, VA 22911.

The family wishes to thank Jenny Varner and the staff of Hospice of the Piedmont for their kind care and compassion.

An online guestbook is available at www.ryanfuneral.com

Ryan Funeral Home of Ruckersville is handling the arrangements.