Mark Rupp

Mark Anthony Rupp 57, of Kansas City, MO passed away on May 5th 2025. Mark was born on July 10th 1967 in Chillicothe to loving parents, David William Rupp and Sharon Lea Peery Rupp.

He was a 1985 graduate of Chillicothe High School, graduated from Missouri Western State University in 1989, and Rockhurst University in 2003 with a nursing degree. Aside from his work with United Airlines, Mark worked as a paramedic from 1995 to 2002 and as a registered nurse from 2003 to 2019 in emergency, trauma, and surgery.

Mark loved flying and taking cruises around the world.

He is survived by several cousins, his close United Airlines family, and many dear friends.

Mark is preceded in death by his parents, David and Sharon Rupp, grandparents, as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A visitation service will be held on May 21st from 6pm to 8pm with a Rosary taking place at 6pm. Service will be held at Heritage Funeral Home in Chillicothe, MO.

A Mass of a Christian Burial will be held at 2pm on May 22nd at St. Columban Catholic Church of Chillicothe, MO.

Burial will follow at Edgewood Cemetery in Chillicothe, MO.

Memorials in honor of Mark Rupp may be made out to Boy Scout Troop 121 of Chillicothe.

In Loving Memory of Mark Rupp from United Airline Family Veteran Flight Attendant | Instructor | Emergency Training Leader | Safety & Crew Advocate | Union Labor Relations Grievance Chairman

It is with deep respect and heartfelt sorrow that we honor the life and legacy of Mark Rupp, a dedicated flight attendant, an exceptional instructor, and a fierce advocate for safety and crew welfare. Mark’s passing leaves a profound void in the aviation community, but his impact will be remembered by all who had the privilege of flying with him, learning from him, and standing beside him.

For decades, Mark was more than a flight attendant, he was a guardian of the skies, a mentor to many, and a voice for those who serve as flight attendant professionals. As an Instructor and Emergency Training leader, Mark trained countless flight crews with both precision and compassion. He understood that safety wasn’t just a protocol, it was a promise. His dedication to excellence helped shape safer, stronger, and more confident flight attendants.

Mark Rupp was the kind of person you wanted in your corner, whether you were 35,000 feet in the air or sitting across from management in a tough meeting. His sudden passing leaves a deep ache in the hearts of those who flew with him, learned from him, or simply leaned on him when things got hard.

Mark spent decades in the skies as a flight attendant, but titles never quite captured what he meant to the people around him. He was a trusted colleague, a mentor, and a constant reminder of what professionalism and heart look like when they show up in the same person.

As an Instructor and Emergency Training leader, Mark shaped the way so many of us approached this job. Not only did he teach out of a manual, he taught from experience, from empathy, and with the belief that knowledge saves lives. He took safety seriously, not because he had to, but because he cared that much about his crew and passengers.

But if you knew Mark, you knew his impact went far beyond the classroom or the aircraft. He was a tireless union advocate, served as a Grievance Chairman for our flight attendant labor Union, and he approached that work with the same fierce loyalty and integrity that defined everything else he did. He believed deeply in Unionism, not just as a structure, but as a principle. To Mark, the Union was a way to protect people who too often felt voiceless. It was about fairness, respect, and making sure every flight attendant, from new hire to senior, had someone standing beside them.

Mark often said that a Union wasn't just there for big fights; it was there for the everyday dignity of the job. He knew firsthand how isolating the airline industry could be, and he made it his mission to be a voice of reason, compassion, and strength for his flying partners. He didn’t back down from hard conversations, but he always made space for others to speak and be heard. He was the kind of advocate who made you feel less alone.

Off the clock, Mark was someone you could talk to for hours, about anything or nothing. He had a sharp sense of humor, a quiet confidence, and a way of making people feel grounded even when the world was spinning. He listened without judgment, showed up when it mattered, and lived his values without needing applause.

Mark leaves behind a legacy that’s impossible to measure. His fingerprints are on every crew he trained, every case he handled, and every person he helped find their voice. He made the industry better, safer, fairer, and a little more human for flight attendants.

Blue skies and soft landings, Mark. You made a difference, and we will carry your example with us, always.