Date of death: 11/13/2012
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1964
Long-time educator and pastor, Father Raymond L. Kuper, died Nov. 13, 2012. He was 74 years old.He was engaged in Catholic education throughout much of his priestly ministry ‘ including service as a teacher, a principal, diocesan superintendent and as a pastor of parishes with schools.Father Kuper, the son of Anita (Schuetter) and Louis Kuper, was born March 22, 1938, in Jasper. After studies at Saint Meinrad Seminary and in Innsbruck, Austria, he was ordained a priest on March 14, 1964.His first assignment was to St. Ferdinand Church in Ferdinand, as assistant pastor of the parish, and as a teacher at St. Ferdinand High School.In 1968 he was named superintendent of Rex Mundi High School and assistant pastor at St. Theresa Church, both in Evansville. In 1969 he became executive secretary of the Evansville Area Catholic High School Board, and in 1970, he was appointed as superintendent of Evansville Area Schools, with responsibility for Catholic grade schools and high schools in the Evansville dioceses.Father Kuper was named diocesan Superintendent of Schools in 1972, responsible for all Catholic schools in the diocese, and continued in that position until 1977. From 1977 to 1987, Father Kuper was pastor of Christ the King Church in Evansville, and in 1987, Bishop Francis R. Shea appointed him diocesan director of Catholic Education, with responsibility for all Catholic schools and also for religious education programs in the parishes of the diocese.In an Aug. 7, 1987, Message story, Father Kuper is quoted as saying that Catholic schools must “teach our students not just how to make a good living, but how to lead a good life” through “the faith element.He said he had learned as a parish priest that “parents are the primary educators.Over the years, Father Kuper was pastor of St. Bernard Church in Rockport, and Christ the King, St. Agnes and Holy Rosary churches in Evansville – all parishes with Catholic grade schools.He retired in July of 2006, but served as a sacramental minister at St. Theresa Church during his retirement.Survivors include his brother, Ed Kuper (Ruth Ann) of The Villages, FL; niece, Gina Pavelec of Johns Creek, GA; nephews, Sam Kuper of Centerville, OH, Nick Kuper of Naperville, IL and Joe Kuper of Monroe, OH; 8 great nieces and nephews.Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel will be handling the arrangements. Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1301 S. Green River Rd, Evansville, IN 47714. A vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m.A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012 at the church. Bishop Charles C. Thompson will be the main celebrant.Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be made to the Rev. Raymond L. Kuper fund for Excellence in Education Trust, 4200 N. Kentucky Ave., PO Box 4169, Evansville, IN 47724 or VNA Charlier Hospice Center, 610 E. Walnut St., Evansville, IN 47713Condolences may be made to the family online at www.ziemerfuneralhome.com”