Man recently awarded millions from state after years of abuse and neglect has died
A Whatcom County man who was recently awarded nearly $23 million from multiple state agencies after years of abuse and neglect has died.
James Rupke, 67, passed away Sunday at the assisted living facility he has been living in for several months, his longtime friend Dave Wiggins confirmed with McClatchy Monday.
The Whatcom County Coroner’s office told McClatchy the cause of death has not yet been determined.
In September, Rupke was awarded more than $9 million from the Northwest Regional Council in Bellingham, an agency under the Washington Department of Social and Health Services that provides care for adults with disabilities.
In July, Rupke was awarded $13.5 million from DSHS as part of a related lawsuit that contended he was abused and neglected by a state-paid caretaker for over 30 years.
Wiggins said he had known Rupke for 45 years after first seeing him around town riding his bike.
“He’s a hard one to explain,” Wiggins said. “He’s one of a kind — he has the mind of a child, and the body and needs of a man. He never knew love or acceptance. I befriended him because he needed a friend, but he could be a handful.”
Wiggins said Rupke loved going to the fair and other events. He also loved going to funerals, even for people he didn’t know.
“I know James is in a better place, but still I miss him,” Wiggins said. “He was scared to death of being cremated so I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Rupke’s cousin Brian Van Dyken told McClatchy that he and Rupke had become better friends in the last 35 years. He noted Rupke’s disability but said that Rupke was “a lot smarter than people thought he was.”
“He was very intelligent, really,” said Van Dyken.
Van Dyken said that Rupke was always smiling and laughing.
“He was a very happy guy,” Van Dyken added.
Kim Barton, another friend of Rupke, told McClatchy that he was “a forgiving man with a heart of gold.” Rupke loved his friends, his family and God, she said.
“I’ll always remember his smile and laughter,” she added.
McClatchy reached out to DSHS and the AGO for a comment.
“We are very sorry to hear of Mr. Rupke’s death and we send our condolences to his loved ones,” a spokesperson for DSHS said.
The AGO did not respond.
This story was originally published November 14, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
