Robert W. Rapp, Jr.

Family

On My Early Life in Ohio

Born in Columbus, Ohio, I spent most of childhood growing up in a small town - Dublin, Ohio - where my parents still live today. With two older sisters and a younger sister, we were raised by two loving parents rich in German Lutheran tradition. As a youth, I enjoyed sports with a special love for basketball. However, I knew my basketball career was over when one day my college coach told me, "You know, Rapp, you may be small, but you're slow." Nevertheless, athletics taught me a lot about "team" and the importance of working together toward a common goal. My parents, my pastors, my friends, and my teachers had a great influence on my work ethic and the importance of our relationships with each other and our creator. Dublin High School prepared me well for my years at Miami University (Oxford, Ohio).

My College Life, First Job, and Engagement

Located in the Miami valley of southwestern Ohio, Miami University has been recognized as the "Cradle of Coaches," one of the "Public Ivys" and the "Mother of Fraternities." In the beauty of the rolling hills of southern Ohio, the four seasons are displayed in magnificent granduer.

Miami University is not only the place where I received my undergraduate education; but it is the place where I met my wife-to-be on a blind date.

On a cold, snowy, dreary day in March of my senior year, I flew to Dallas, Texas to have an interview with the Director, Data Systems of Lone Star Gas. The skies where incredibly blue on that day with the temperatures in the upper 70s. I thought to myself...what am I doing living in Ohio? So in May, I announced to the world that I was going to Texas and that Terri and I were going to get married. We had grand plans that I would start work in June and Terri would finish her degree at Miami University in psychology. Upon her graduation, we would get married. But it didn't work out quite that way...

I did move to Texas, but I found myself spending my paycheck on long-distance calls back to Ohio, driving all day and all night to try and see Terri over the weekend, and flying back and forth...it was going to be a long year waiting to for Terri's graduation from Miami...I was miserable. We decided to get married early. Terri could finish her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Dallas where I was also was attending to get my Master's degree. So in October we were married at Faith Lutheran Church in Oxford, Ohio...all I remember is the rehersal dinner!

On My Parent's Passing From This Life

My mother passed away May 28, 2009. Within a month, my father also passed away. The currency of their passing still weighs on my mind. They lived on this earth for 85 years. I am indeed fortunate to have had their parental nurturering, guidance and friendship in my life. My mother told me that her mother said to her, "You never know what it is like to get old until you are old." My mother didn't really complain too much about her health, but acknowledged that simple truth in saying, "Getting old is no fun!" The days surrounding the passing of my mother and father gave to me a flood of emotions and rememberances...all in celebration of their life. Walt Whitman wrote quite eloquently:

Oh me, oh life,
Of the questions of these recurring...
Of the endless trains of the faithless.
Of cities filled with the foolish.
What good amid these oh me, oh life?

Answer: That we are here, and life exists. Each of us is a unique identity. Indeed, the powerful play does go on and each one of us contributes our own verse... Each one of us must ask ourselves, "What will my verse be?"

No verse is ever perfect, but their verses were good. I have been blessed.