Glenn R. Rupert Jr.

“Coach” Glenn R. Rupert Jr., 81, formerly of Bloomsburg, PA and Waterford, CT, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 19, 2025 in New Jersey, where he resided close to his family. Glenn was born on July 30th, 1943 and was the only child of Glen and Emily Rupert of Bloomsburg, PA. He claimed to have been born into the best time in history, loving the cars and music of the 50’s. He was a disc jockey (named Rocky Rupert) while attending Bloomsburg University earning his teaching degree in science in 1965. Shortly after graduating, Glenn moved to Waterford, Connecticut to start his teaching career which began at Clark Lane Junior High School as a Science teacher. His easy-going teaching style framed him as a teacher who related to all the students. Glenn’s love for wrestling inspired him to start a youth wrestling program that year, which led to him being offered the Head Wrestling Coach position at the high school. This prompted him to return to school to gain his Mathematics degree so he could both teach Algebra and become the wrestling coach at Waterford High School (WHS). Due to the youth program he started, more incoming freshmen started coming out for Wrestling at WHS and the program began to grow. In 1971 Waterford won their first ECC Wrestling tournament and would go on to become State Runner Up 4 times and then State Champion in the 1985 season. In his 20-year coaching tenure, Waterford produced 44 ECC Champions, 9 Sectional Champions, 24 Class M / Class L State Champions and 9 State Open Champions. The State Wrestling Coaches poll began in 1983 and Glenn’s Waterford teams finished 9th in 1984 with a 17-6 record, 9th again in 1985 with a 16-7 record and 3rd in 1986 with a record of 18-3. Glenn’s overall coaching record was 201-124-3, a winning percentage of .615. His wrestling career awarded him with; Connecticut Coach of the Year in 1982, in 1987 he was nominated for National High School Coach of the Year and honored for 20 years of outstanding service by the United States Wrestling Association, in 2005 he was inducted into the Connecticut and National Wrestling Hall of Fames, and in 2010 he was inducted into the Waterford Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition to being the WHS Wrestling coach, Glenn was the Assistant Soccer Coach and directed one act plays in the yearly One Act Play competition. Most important of all in his teaching and coaching career, he was proud of the positive influence he hoped he had on his students' lives. Act II of Glenn’s life was spent being a family man and building his cleaning business, The Cleaning Network. Glenn married Nancy Kuehn and they had two sons, Chad and Craig. The boys became the focus of his afterwork activities. Glenn coached both of them on ‘The Sweepers’ Little League team, which he named after his business. He attended every sporting event they participated in and also instilled in them a love for playing golf. One of his greatest joys was bringing them to Penn State football games, which he had season tickets to throughout the 90’s and 00’s. In the early 90’s, he purchased a 1974 Ford RV which was not only great for tailgating, but also for he and Nancy’s passion for traveling. The highlight of the family trips was a summer cross country trip in 1994-five weeks in an RV without air conditioning or working plumbing sure did a lot to bind a family together with a lot of laughs and a memorable shared experience! Glenn developed close friendships in both Connecticut and Pennsylvania and will be missed for his quick wit and easy sense of humor, which he credited his father for. He loved a good Wild Turkey bourbon Manhattan, a hearty breakfast at a diner, his 1957 white Thunderbird convertible, the Bloomsburg Fair, UConn women's basketball games and the holiday season. As a lifetime collector of memorabilia, perhaps his most prized collection was featured under the Christmas tree each year-The Department 56 ‘New England Village’ and train set that sprawled nearly the entirety of the living room. When all the porcelain houses were lit up at night, he imagined himself being back in those simpler times. He said he could close his eyes and slip away into that comforting, old town. We know he’s at peace there now. Glenn is survived by his son, Chad Rupert, Daughter in law Lisa Rupert, three grandsons, Chase, Logan and Blake; his son, Craig Rupert; Glenn’s ex-wife and friend, Nancy Rupert and many extended family members and friends. A time of Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Allen Funeral Home, Inc., 745 Market at Eighth Street, Bloomsburg. Funeral Services will begin on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Allen Funeral Home, Inc. with Rev. Michael Spagnuolo, Catawissa Christian Church, officiating. Graveside committal services will immediately follow in the New Rosemont Cemetery, Bloomsburg. The Allen Funeral Home, Inc., is honored to be serving the Rupert family. Additionally, the family is planning a memorial celebration of life ceremony for Glenn this summer that will be held in Connecticut. Date, time, and location will be published in the newspaper once it is determined. Memorial contributions in Glenn’s name made be made to: The Waterford High School Athletic Scholarship Fund c/o Booster Club, Waterford High School, 20 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford, CT 06385.

Glenn R. Rupert Jr.

July 30, 1943 - January 19, 2025