By Tom Tatham ’56
In ihe fall of 1951, an I 8-year-old young man from Cincinnati arrived at the OWU campus to follow in the footsteps of other family members. Rupert A. Doan ’55 is another one of many, Ohio Wesleyan grads with a long family tradition of atteending OWU. His father, Rupert G. Doan ’32 (B0II) and mother Catherine A. Aull ’32 along with uncles John H Doan ’30 , Roshius , Ed Doan, and cousins Alan R. Doan ’55 (∑AE) (curreently a physician in Seattle), David Doan (ᅀTᅀ), Ann Do an ’53 and brother Charles H. Doan ’67 (12 years younger than Rupert ) [Almost all of the OWU Greeks in one family!
Rupe (affectionatly referred to as “Rufus”) was raised in GermanScotch-Irish family traditions. Many of his values were passed on to him by “mein Opa Klein” (his great grandfather), who helped raise the young Doan. A particular sparkle came to Rupe’s eye as he fondly recalled family memories of his youth. Rupe remembered his great- grandfather saying, “There are. two things in life you should strive for, either the clergy or public service Rupt: met this standard by spending more than 30 years of his working career as an elected member of judician of Hamilton County. As Rape says, It might not make you rich, and you spend a lot of time communicating with people in settings from saloons to allernoon teas, but Opa would say ‘das ist güte, Rupert’ it he could see me now,” Rupe reflects, ‘It’s a very conscience-wrenching job, but I think I could try my brother and be fair.” Knowing Rupe, I’m sure that’s true!
Rupe ’s views on the legal system include his concern from what he sees as the “mean-spirited” side of attorneys today … something not evident when he began. “When I started, the last thing you wanted to do was file suit, but instead, deal with the problems with more human relations and problem-solving settlements of disputes. Today, that has all changed, loading up the courts with litigation and trials. The civility of the practice has gone and been replaced with the mean-spirited approach. There is no control, no discipline. no self respect. It worries me and makes me sad,” says Rupe.
At the fraternity house, Rupe remembered the perpetual bridge game and the regular Red Dog Poker games on Friday and/or Saturday night … some games of chance lasting well into the next morning, [The editor has fond memories of playing “games chance” with Rupe … no matter what cards Rupe held, he always called! It seems that I knight a suit at C. J Wilsons with some of those winning!
Singing was a very big thing at the Beta house and clint Miller worked very hard at shaping us up …I never studied music, but enjoyed the singing and played some piano and guitar — and still do; its great for politics.’
Fraternity life also meant service, as Rupe served the chapter as pledge and social chairman and in his senior year as president. Among Rupe’s memories at OWU : are the “quo vadis” parties ( which he claims he initiated!) and Mama Linn. Now there was a lady. With a look or just a faint glance from her, she kept everything under control. A GRAND LADY, and I always looked forward to walking her home or to church. She was grand influence and everyone respected her and what she stood for.” He also recalled the “great people” at OWU and the brothers at the fraternity house. They were very great people and great role models.
Rupe took advantage of both his musical ability and pleasant personality by having his own radio show on the OWU- FM tation,WSLN, later picked up by WNRN (Marion.). The show centered on country western, and I can still hear Rufus singing jambalya and a craw fish pie and a file gumbo.”
OWU experiences included ROTC, where Rupe was commissioned a second lieutenant in ’55 and served with the legal services office active duty from 1958 to 1961 at bases in Alaska and North Dakota. He also fondly remembered professors Warner and lorish from the political science department and Dr. Postle from speech, theater and radio days.
It was at the OWU radio station that Rupe met Sue Logan ’57, and soon they were double dating with good friends Paul Nobis ’55 and Annie Shirk Nobis ’55. ‘They were married near Sue’s home in wooster on June 26, 1955. Sue worked to help put Rupe through law school at the University of Cincinnati. ‘They have a daughter, Holly, and two grandchildren, Thomas Doan and Rupert Daniel Spraul. Sue and Rupe reside at 1209 Neeb Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45233.
Both have given much back to their community, Sue with the symphony, pops, ballet, and opera, and the Judge with many boards including the Art Museum, Shiloh United Methodist Board of Trustees and a past President of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Cincinnati , the St. Joseph Orphanage , and the Methodist Union [Methodist Home].
His hobbies include golf, a lot of wood working projects and most importantly to him, refurbishing of antiques.
After a lifetime of service both in his profession and for community, where does that take the judge into the future? I’m going to judge until I drop — or until the voters drop me,” concludes the judge.
As his “Opa Klein” would say,” Das ist gute, Rupert,” and as your Beta brothers say in a salute to you, “Thank God you’re a Beta.”
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