RAPID CITY - Kenneth R. Purpur, 80, Rapid City, died Sunday, June 5, 2011, at home.
Survivors include his wife, Darlyne Purpur, Rapid City; a daughter, Peggy Namanny, Brighton, Colo.; two sons, David Purpur and Danny Purpur, both of Rapid City; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Ray Purpur, Grand Forks, N.D.; and two sisters, Orella Baker and Delores Panzer, both of Grand Forks.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 23, in the parish center at Blessed Sacrament Church, with the Rev. Janusz Korban officiating. Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.osheimschmidt.com.
Published in Rapid City Journal on June 20, 2011
Grand Forks Herald (ND) - June 9, 2011
Deceased Name: Ken Purpur : GF native, Olympic medalist Purpur dies
Ken Purpur, a Grand Forks native who won a silver medal playing hockey in the 1956 Olympic Games, died Sunday in Rapid City, S.D., at the age of 79.
The youngest of seven siblings, Purpur grew up idolizing his older brother, Fido, who played in the NHL. Ken went on to play hockey under Fido at UND and later joined Fido and his oldest brother, Al, in the UND Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.
Ken also was inducted into Grand Forks Central's Hall of Fame in 1993.
Purpur lived in Rapid City since the late 1950s, working as a vocational carpentry teacher at both high schools in the city for 38 years.
He was named the Rapid City Teacher of the Year in 1990, four years before retiring.
"He was just a fun guy to know," his wife, Darlyne, said. "His death leaves a terrible hole, but he left so many good memories, it will leave us thinking good thoughts forever."
Family members shared several of those stories and adventures Wednesday.
"He was just an incredibly personable guy," his son, David, said. "He would talk to anybody and everybody.
He could talk the shirt right off of your back. He was always super positive and upbeat.
I never saw my dad down ever.
"The teachers would talk about how they could hear dad coming down the hall because he would be laughing.
He would go in the teachers' lounge and get all of the teachers pumped up.
That's the kind of guy he was. He was super positive.
You just don't meet too many people like that, that's for sure."
There weren't many hockey players like him, either.
Purpur racked up 117 points in 72 career games at UND - one of the quickest trips to the Century Club in Sioux hockey history. He was part of the first Sioux team to ever beat Michigan in Grand Forks.
In 1956, he went to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, to compete in the Winter Olympics.
There, the Americans beat Canada - which had won gold in seven of the eight previous Olympics - to reach the finals. The Russians, playing in the Olympics for the first time, beat the U.S. for gold.
"He could skate and he played hard all the time," teammate Ginny Christian said. "I knew Kenny from when he was playing at North Dakota. He was real kind-hearted."
Members of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team that won gold said Purpur could have made that squad if he wanted to, but he opted to start his teaching career.
"Teaching was really an important thing for him," David said.
Purpur made an impact in the school system as well. In addition to his teacher of the year award, Darlyne said he would occasionally bring his medal to grade schools and middle schools to inspire students.
"You were by far my favorite teacher and probably the only reason I stayed in school," one student wrote on his obituary site Wednesday.
There will be a service for Purpur at 11 a.m. on June 23 at the Blessed Sacrament Parish Hall in Rapid City.
"He was just an amazing guy," Darlyne said. "He used to have a saying for everything.
He would say hello to everybody. It was just such a joy. That was his attitude all through life."
Grand Forks Herald (ND) ; Date: June 9, 2011; Page: C1; Author: Brad Schlossman; Herald Staff Writer; Record #: 49ae5e9a1f5b1f11902251e68551e075; Copyright (c) 2011 Grand Forks Herald
Survivors include his wife, Darlyne Purpur, Rapid City; a daughter, Peggy Namanny, Brighton, Colo.; two sons, David Purpur and Danny Purpur, both of Rapid City; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Ray Purpur, Grand Forks, N.D.; and two sisters, Orella Baker and Delores Panzer, both of Grand Forks.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 23, in the parish center at Blessed Sacrament Church, with the Rev. Janusz Korban officiating. Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.osheimschmidt.com.
Published in Rapid City Journal on June 20, 2011
Grand Forks Herald (ND) - June 9, 2011
Deceased Name: Ken Purpur : GF native, Olympic medalist Purpur dies
Ken Purpur, a Grand Forks native who won a silver medal playing hockey in the 1956 Olympic Games, died Sunday in Rapid City, S.D., at the age of 79.
The youngest of seven siblings, Purpur grew up idolizing his older brother, Fido, who played in the NHL. Ken went on to play hockey under Fido at UND and later joined Fido and his oldest brother, Al, in the UND Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.
Ken also was inducted into Grand Forks Central's Hall of Fame in 1993.
Purpur lived in Rapid City since the late 1950s, working as a vocational carpentry teacher at both high schools in the city for 38 years.
He was named the Rapid City Teacher of the Year in 1990, four years before retiring.
"He was just a fun guy to know," his wife, Darlyne, said. "His death leaves a terrible hole, but he left so many good memories, it will leave us thinking good thoughts forever."
Family members shared several of those stories and adventures Wednesday.
"He was just an incredibly personable guy," his son, David, said. "He would talk to anybody and everybody.
He could talk the shirt right off of your back. He was always super positive and upbeat.
I never saw my dad down ever.
"The teachers would talk about how they could hear dad coming down the hall because he would be laughing.
He would go in the teachers' lounge and get all of the teachers pumped up.
That's the kind of guy he was. He was super positive.
You just don't meet too many people like that, that's for sure."
There weren't many hockey players like him, either.
Purpur racked up 117 points in 72 career games at UND - one of the quickest trips to the Century Club in Sioux hockey history. He was part of the first Sioux team to ever beat Michigan in Grand Forks.
In 1956, he went to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, to compete in the Winter Olympics.
There, the Americans beat Canada - which had won gold in seven of the eight previous Olympics - to reach the finals. The Russians, playing in the Olympics for the first time, beat the U.S. for gold.
"He could skate and he played hard all the time," teammate Ginny Christian said. "I knew Kenny from when he was playing at North Dakota. He was real kind-hearted."
Members of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team that won gold said Purpur could have made that squad if he wanted to, but he opted to start his teaching career.
"Teaching was really an important thing for him," David said.
Purpur made an impact in the school system as well. In addition to his teacher of the year award, Darlyne said he would occasionally bring his medal to grade schools and middle schools to inspire students.
"You were by far my favorite teacher and probably the only reason I stayed in school," one student wrote on his obituary site Wednesday.
There will be a service for Purpur at 11 a.m. on June 23 at the Blessed Sacrament Parish Hall in Rapid City.
"He was just an amazing guy," Darlyne said. "He used to have a saying for everything.
He would say hello to everybody. It was just such a joy. That was his attitude all through life."
Grand Forks Herald (ND) ; Date: June 9, 2011; Page: C1; Author: Brad Schlossman; Herald Staff Writer; Record #: 49ae5e9a1f5b1f11902251e68551e075; Copyright (c) 2011 Grand Forks Herald
RAPID CITY - Kenneth R. Purpur, 80, Rapid City, died Sunday, June 5, 2011, at home.
Survivors include his wife, Darlyne Purpur, Rapid City; a daughter, Peggy Namanny, Brighton, Colo.; two sons, David Purpur and Danny Purpur, both of Rapid City; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Ray Purpur, Grand Forks, N.D.; and two sisters, Orella Baker and Delores Panzer, both of Grand Forks.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 23, in the parish center at Blessed Sacrament Church, with the Rev. Janusz Korban officiating. Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.osheimschmidt.com.
Published in Rapid City Journal on June 20, 2011
Grand Forks Herald (ND) - June 9, 2011
Deceased Name: Ken Purpur : GF native, Olympic medalist Purpur dies
Ken Purpur, a Grand Forks native who won a silver medal playing hockey in the 1956 Olympic Games, died Sunday in Rapid City, S.D., at the age of 79.
The youngest of seven siblings, Purpur grew up idolizing his older brother, Fido, who played in the NHL. Ken went on to play hockey under Fido at UND and later joined Fido and his oldest brother, Al, in the UND Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.
Ken also was inducted into Grand Forks Central's Hall of Fame in 1993.
Purpur lived in Rapid City since the late 1950s, working as a vocational carpentry teacher at both high schools in the city for 38 years.
He was named the Rapid City Teacher of the Year in 1990, four years before retiring.
"He was just a fun guy to know," his wife, Darlyne, said. "His death leaves a terrible hole, but he left so many good memories, it will leave us thinking good thoughts forever."
Family members shared several of those stories and adventures Wednesday.
"He was just an incredibly personable guy," his son, David, said. "He would talk to anybody and everybody.
He could talk the shirt right off of your back. He was always super positive and upbeat.
I never saw my dad down ever.
"The teachers would talk about how they could hear dad coming down the hall because he would be laughing.
He would go in the teachers' lounge and get all of the teachers pumped up.
That's the kind of guy he was. He was super positive.
You just don't meet too many people like that, that's for sure."
There weren't many hockey players like him, either.
Purpur racked up 117 points in 72 career games at UND - one of the quickest trips to the Century Club in Sioux hockey history. He was part of the first Sioux team to ever beat Michigan in Grand Forks.
In 1956, he went to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, to compete in the Winter Olympics.
There, the Americans beat Canada - which had won gold in seven of the eight previous Olympics - to reach the finals. The Russians, playing in the Olympics for the first time, beat the U.S. for gold.
"He could skate and he played hard all the time," teammate Ginny Christian said. "I knew Kenny from when he was playing at North Dakota. He was real kind-hearted."
Members of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team that won gold said Purpur could have made that squad if he wanted to, but he opted to start his teaching career.
"Teaching was really an important thing for him," David said.
Purpur made an impact in the school system as well. In addition to his teacher of the year award, Darlyne said he would occasionally bring his medal to grade schools and middle schools to inspire students.
"You were by far my favorite teacher and probably the only reason I stayed in school," one student wrote on his obituary site Wednesday.
There will be a service for Purpur at 11 a.m. on June 23 at the Blessed Sacrament Parish Hall in Rapid City.
"He was just an amazing guy," Darlyne said. "He used to have a saying for everything.
He would say hello to everybody. It was just such a joy. That was his attitude all through life."
Grand Forks Herald (ND) ; Date: June 9, 2011; Page: C1; Author: Brad Schlossman; Herald Staff Writer; Record #: 49ae5e9a1f5b1f11902251e68551e075; Copyright (c) 2011 Grand Forks Herald
Survivors include his wife, Darlyne Purpur, Rapid City; a daughter, Peggy Namanny, Brighton, Colo.; two sons, David Purpur and Danny Purpur, both of Rapid City; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Ray Purpur, Grand Forks, N.D.; and two sisters, Orella Baker and Delores Panzer, both of Grand Forks.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 23, in the parish center at Blessed Sacrament Church, with the Rev. Janusz Korban officiating. Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.osheimschmidt.com.
Published in Rapid City Journal on June 20, 2011
Grand Forks Herald (ND) - June 9, 2011
Deceased Name: Ken Purpur : GF native, Olympic medalist Purpur dies
Ken Purpur, a Grand Forks native who won a silver medal playing hockey in the 1956 Olympic Games, died Sunday in Rapid City, S.D., at the age of 79.
The youngest of seven siblings, Purpur grew up idolizing his older brother, Fido, who played in the NHL. Ken went on to play hockey under Fido at UND and later joined Fido and his oldest brother, Al, in the UND Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.
Ken also was inducted into Grand Forks Central's Hall of Fame in 1993.
Purpur lived in Rapid City since the late 1950s, working as a vocational carpentry teacher at both high schools in the city for 38 years.
He was named the Rapid City Teacher of the Year in 1990, four years before retiring.
"He was just a fun guy to know," his wife, Darlyne, said. "His death leaves a terrible hole, but he left so many good memories, it will leave us thinking good thoughts forever."
Family members shared several of those stories and adventures Wednesday.
"He was just an incredibly personable guy," his son, David, said. "He would talk to anybody and everybody.
He could talk the shirt right off of your back. He was always super positive and upbeat.
I never saw my dad down ever.
"The teachers would talk about how they could hear dad coming down the hall because he would be laughing.
He would go in the teachers' lounge and get all of the teachers pumped up.
That's the kind of guy he was. He was super positive.
You just don't meet too many people like that, that's for sure."
There weren't many hockey players like him, either.
Purpur racked up 117 points in 72 career games at UND - one of the quickest trips to the Century Club in Sioux hockey history. He was part of the first Sioux team to ever beat Michigan in Grand Forks.
In 1956, he went to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, to compete in the Winter Olympics.
There, the Americans beat Canada - which had won gold in seven of the eight previous Olympics - to reach the finals. The Russians, playing in the Olympics for the first time, beat the U.S. for gold.
"He could skate and he played hard all the time," teammate Ginny Christian said. "I knew Kenny from when he was playing at North Dakota. He was real kind-hearted."
Members of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team that won gold said Purpur could have made that squad if he wanted to, but he opted to start his teaching career.
"Teaching was really an important thing for him," David said.
Purpur made an impact in the school system as well. In addition to his teacher of the year award, Darlyne said he would occasionally bring his medal to grade schools and middle schools to inspire students.
"You were by far my favorite teacher and probably the only reason I stayed in school," one student wrote on his obituary site Wednesday.
There will be a service for Purpur at 11 a.m. on June 23 at the Blessed Sacrament Parish Hall in Rapid City.
"He was just an amazing guy," Darlyne said. "He used to have a saying for everything.
He would say hello to everybody. It was just such a joy. That was his attitude all through life."
Grand Forks Herald (ND) ; Date: June 9, 2011; Page: C1; Author: Brad Schlossman; Herald Staff Writer; Record #: 49ae5e9a1f5b1f11902251e68551e075; Copyright (c) 2011 Grand Forks Herald
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