WINONA. Minn. –John Thomas Rupkey, 85, of Winona, a former gradate dean at Saint Mary’s University, died at his Mississippi River boathouse. He held degrees in mathematics from Loyola University and in English and religious education from Saint Mary’s. In 1973 he earned a doctorate in psychology from Northern Illinois University. He was a member of the Christian Brothers religious order but left in 1978 and disavowed Catholic doctrine that gay people are somehow disordered. He said that Jesus taught that all love, including gay love, is a gift to be appreciated, enjoyed and celebrated. He dabbled in celestial comedy and performed at the Renaissance Fair and other events. In Winona he campaigned successfully against city efforts to shut down the boathouse community.

Details

1935-2022