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Richard E. Guppy
January 26, 1941 ~ February 20, 2013
ARLINGTON -- Richard E. Guppy, 72, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in Arlington.
Funeral: 1 p.m. Saturday at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington.
Richard was born Jan. 26, 1941, in Grand Rapids, Mich., to James Arthur Guppy and Virgil Lattimer Guppy. He retired from General Motors after 30 years of service in Los Angeles, Calif., and Arlington (UAW rep).
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald Guppy Sr.; and nephews, Donald Guppy Jr. and Donnie Guppy.
Survivors: Wife of 45 years, Ida Ortiz Guppy; children, James, Andrea, Rick, Theresa, Martin and Vita; six grandchildren; brother, Bruce Guppy, and wife, Christy; and sister, Judy Jennings, and husband, Willard.
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My condolences to the Guppy family,My uncle Jess Sierra was a good friend of Guppy’s, I got to meet him here, as I live here in Arlington also, a few times and he was a Nice person and friendly, My Uncle always talked fondly of Guppy, We will miss him,
William Sierra
Deepest sympathies to Ida and the Guppy family from The Rupperts.
We are so saddened by the news of Richard’s passing. He was a true friend and a good man. (“Good Man†was my father’s highest judgment of a man’s true worth and thus a worthy epitaph.) We will always remember the hospitality and friendship extended to my parents when we were invited for dinner at your home.
Richard extended a paternal consideration for me as he mentored me in the art of union representation. I must say I was not immediately taken by it, as I was young and thought I knew it all, but I quickly learned its value and treasure it to this day.
In fact, when I am talking to Jacob, my six year old, and address him as “my sonâ€, I can hear Guppy’s booming baritone as he began to give to give me advise, “Sonâ€, he would say, and the lesson would begin, whether I asked for it or not.
I will also never forget and often recall his description of my wife as looking like a “ bright, shiny new penny “at a Las Vegas Sub Council.
Ida, we will never forget the lesson of the Greek God and the……well, you know.
He was a gifted storyteller. I cannot count the number of times I have attempted to retell a story of his and it is just not the same. His stories were imbued with his joy of life and an appreciation of its ironies, so they struck true.
Richard could make a friend at the drop of a hat and could also skillfully wield a verbal needle. It was always an adventure to spend time with him. As I spoke with many of his friends still in L.A. to give them the sad news, all recalled that he made life fun, lightened stressful times and was a good friend.
Make no mistake; he was a formidable presence. If you were to do battle, better he was on your side.
His heart was as big as his hands and his friendship as true as his firm handshake. His loss is irreplaceable. He was one of a kind and the world is a lesser place without him.
More accurately, the world was a better place because of him.
Rest in Peace Richard and Thank You for all you gave us.