Robert A. Roripaugh, 87, passed away on January 2, 2018, at Ivinson Memorial Hospital. Born on August 26, 1930, in Oxnard, California, to Charles C. Roripaugh and Marion Abbott Roripaugh, he grew up in Midland, Texas. Roripaugh studied English at the Universities of Texas, New Mexico, and Wyoming. A prominent advocate for and award-winning practitioner of the Wyoming literary arts, Roripaugh fell in love with Wyoming while ranching along the Wind River Mountains with his parents, and lived in Wyoming from 1949-2019—with the exception of intervals spent studying in the Southwest, and for Army service in Japan where he met his wife of 63 years, Yoshiko Horikoshi. Early in his writing career, Roripaugh authored two novels: A Fever for Living, set in post-war Japan, and Honor Thy Father, which received the Western Heritage Award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame as the Outstanding Western Novel of 1963. Roripaugh also published two volumes of poetry, Learn to Love the Haze and The Ranch, as well as a collection of short stories, The Legend of Billy Jenks and Other Wyoming Stories. In 1995, Roripaugh was selected to serve as the Wyoming Poet Laureate—an appointment he filled until 2002. A Professor of English at the University of Wyoming, Roripaugh taught creative writing and Western American Literature for 35 years until his retirement in 1993. He is remembered fondly by generations of creative writing students for his generous and careful mentorship. In 2008, Roripaugh was honored with an Outstanding Former Faculty Award from the University of Wyoming College of Arts & Sciences. Roripaugh is survived by his wife, Yoshiko Horikoshi Roripaugh, of Laramie, Wyoming, and his daughter, Lee Ann Roripaugh, of Vermillion, South Dakota.
To the Family, I would like to express how sorry to hear of your loss. It seems so unfair that death should have the power to take away someone you love. And when it happens, the thought of never again being able to talk to, laugh with, or hold your loved one can be most difficult to bear. That pain is not necessarily erased by being told that your loved one is up in heaven. I found what God promises in the Bible helpful. At Acts 24:15 it says “And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead.” This promise has consoled me when my father died. Hopefully, it can provide some hope and comfort to your family.
I was so sad to hear of Mr. Roripaugh's passing. We've loved living across the street from them for the last few years. He will be remembered by our family for his genuine smile and for lovingly doting on Mrs. Roripaugh. Knowing he was a writer, I've read all the books I could find. What a treasure! May you both find comfort in your memories of a wonderful person.