Long-time NRCA member Rene M. Dupuis, 77, passed away May 23.
Dupuis proudly served with the U.S. Navy, participating in the Cuban Missile Crisis Blockade. In 1964, he married his high school sweetheart, Rita Mijal, and the couple moved to Madison, Wis., where Dupuis obtained his engineering education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Dupuis had a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering, as well as a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate in civil engineering.
After briefly teaching engineering at State University of New York, Dupuis moved into private engineering practice. He and close friends from the University of Wisconsin Engineering Program founded Structural Research Inc. in Middleton, Wis., in 1978.
Dupuis quickly became a well-known designer and researcher worldwide in the roofing industry as an expert in his field. Dupuis developed a love and commitment to the roofing industry he served, providing research, education and expertise to thousands with more than 100 published works and hundreds more technical presentations. He also received NRCA’s prestigious J.A. Piper Award in 2008. Many of his closest friends came from this industry to which he devoted his life and career.
Dupuis is survived by his daughter Michelle Dupuis; sons Justin (Marji) Dupuis and Mathew (Pam) Dupuis; grandchildren Zachary Dupuis and Alexandra Dupuis; brother Andre (Jackie) Dupuis; sister Yvonne Dupuis; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Rita.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 7450 University Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 13. Visitation will be held at Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Care, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday, June 12, and again from 10 a.m. until the start of the service Saturday at the church.
Memorials may be made to The Rene M Dupuis Scholarship in Civil Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Civil Engineering by visiting www.supportuw.org/giveto/dupuisscholarship or mailing a donation to UW Foundation, U.S. Bank Lockbox 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807. Donors should reference the Rene M. Dupuis Scholarship in Civil Engineering Fund or Fund No. 132230021.
Online condolences can be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
