John W. Ruppert III, a former refrigeration business owner and real estate developer, died of heart disease Tuesday at Gilchrist Hospice Care. The Baldwin resident was 72.
Born in Baltimore and raised on Southern Avenue in Hamilton, he was the son of John William Ruppert Jr., a Western Electric millwright, and Elizabeth Claire Jones Ruppert, a state government secretary. Known as Bill, he attended Polytechnic Institute but left before graduating to work at Revere Copper and Brass and for National Refrigeration.
He and a business partner, Melvin Keyser, founded Tri-State Refrigeration in 1968.
"My father had an entrepreneurial spirit," said his daughter, Nicole Ruppert Keelty of Hunt Valley. "He was amazing with numbers."
Mr. Ruppert founded Tri-State Ice on Erdman Avenue and later bought the American Ice Co., Dover Ice in Delaware, Messick Ice in Salisbury and U-Line Ice in Washington, D.C. In 1982 he bought F.V. Vleck, an insulation company.
"He was one of the most honest and dependable vendors I've worked with," said Harold Graul, an owner of Graul's markets. "He was also a good friend."
Because of his knowledge of refrigeration, Mr. Ruppert became familiar with local restaurants and their owners. He was an investor in the Bo Brooks seafood house on Belair Road, Bromwell Inn North in Perry Hall and Partners on Ponca Street. He founded the Grandstand on Belair Road in Perry Hall. He sold the business several years ago but retained the real estate and kept his office on a portion of the property.
"He liked working a deal with partners and getting a business started," said his brother, Robert D. Ruppert of Dayota, Fla. "If he lost a couple deals, so be it. He went on to the next. In the end, he was very successful."
Mr. Ruppert built Camp Chapel Farm on 17 acres next to his home. There he raised thoroughbred horses and maintained a stable for the horses ridden by his wife and daughters.
His thoroughbreds included Chapel's Gold and Catherine's Ray, which raced at Maryland and Delaware tracks. He and a partner purchased a stable at the Fairhill Training Center near Elkton.
Nearly 20 years ago Mr. Ruppert began investing in real estate and helped develop the Winter's Run area in Harford County, off Mountain Road. He did refrigeration for work for the Geresbeck food markets, and later worked in development of the Logan Village Shopping Center in Dundalk, where a Geresbeck market is located.
"He was a sharp businessman and a very loyal friend," said Carl Greeley, owner of the Geresbeck markets.
Mr. Ruppert purchased part of a self-store warehouse on Lowman Street in South Baltimore, then redeveloped the site as the Townes at Locust Point, a rowhouse community. He worked in partnership with his son, John William "Jake" Ruppert IV of Baltimore.
"He was a street-style broker, always on the hunt for the next deal, especially when it was something he could put together for a friend," said Ms. Keelty, a commercial real estate broker.
Mr. Ruppert was a prankster and enjoyed making people smile. Family members said he was known for his sense of humor.
"He was a quick study in business and he treated all his partners well," said Patrick Welsh Jr., a former son-in-law, who lives in Phoenix. "He was likable and was nonstop funny. He could be outrageous, and he made people laugh."
Mr. Ruppert enjoyed softball, snowmobiling and golf. He also had a skybox at M&T Bank Stadium, where he entertained his family and friends. He was an enthusiastic Baltimore Ravens fan.
A celebration of his life will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 25 at Towson Golf and County Club, Dulaney Valley Road in Phoenix.
In addition to his daughter, son and brother, survivors include his wife of 45 years, the former Elaine Rider; another daughter, Chevelle Ruppert Welsh of Baltimore; and six grandchildren.