Douglas, WY - A sense of sadness and profound sorrow could be felt at Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas at the start of this week as news of Dr. Jamie Rupp’s death spread through the organization. Dr. Rupp planned to camp and climb Kit Carson and Challenger Mountains in Colorado over the Labor Day weekend. The summits are located in the Crestones in the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rocky Mountains south and west of Pueblo, CO.
On Monday, September 4th, Dr. Rupp’s wife, Sandy received notification from the Saguache County Coroner that her husband had died in a climbing accident. In an email addressed to Memorial Hospital staff and providers that same evening, CEO Ryan Smith wrote: “Earlier today, Sharon and I, like many of you, were notified that Dr. James (Jamie) Rupp died during a mountain climb in Colorado this weekend. We are shocked and devastated at the passing of a great husband, father, physician, colleague and friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sandy, Tom, Alex and the rest of Dr. Rupp's family. Dr. Rupp spent his entire career serving patients from all over our great State of Wyoming. I feel extremely privileged to have worked with Dr. Rupp since he arrived in Douglas. He was not only a brilliant physician and constant advocate for his patients, staff and profession, but a confidant and friend to me, and my family. I can't imagine all of the family, providers, patients, employees, students, and many friends he impacted during his life and career, and the collective hurt we will share at his untimely passing.”
Originally from Walden, Colorado, James Rupp, M.D. graduated as valedictorian from North Park High School in 1981. He graduated with distinction from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado with a bachelor of science in Agriculture. He then went on to receive his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas. Dr. Rupp completed his residency training in Internal Medicine and Nephrology from the University of Kansas Medical Center. He has provided healthcare to Wyoming residents from every corner of the state, whether it be as a Medical Director, Internist or Nephrologist. Prior to joining Memorial Hospital in 2014, Dr. Rupp worked at the Veterans Administration Clinic in Casper, WY. As one of the only Nephrologists in Wyoming, Dr. Rupp was a well-respected physician and resource for the state.
Services are pending and the hospital will provide further details as they become available. The entire organization and family at Memorial Hospital of Converse County extends our heartfelt sympathies and continued thoughts and prayers to Dr. Rupp’s family in this time and always.