A doctor at Memorial hospital of Converse County in Douglas perished over the weekend in a climbing accident.

Dr. James Rupp had planned to camp and climb Kit Carson and Challenger Mountains southwest of Pueblo, Colo., according to a press release from the hospital.

The Saguache County Coroner on Monday notified Rupp's wife, Sandy, that Rupp had died in a climbing accident.

Services are pending. The hospital says it will provide further details as they become available.

Rupp, a native of Walden, Colo., graduated as valedictorian from North Park High School in 1981. He then obtained a bachelor of science in Agriculture from Colorado State University, where he graduated with distinction.

Rupp received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Kansas and completed his residency training in internal medicine and nephrology at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

He provided healthcare across the state as a medical doctor, internist and nephrologist. Rupp also worked at the Veterans Administration Clinic in Casper before joining Memorial Hospital of Converse County in 2014.

Monday evening, hospital CEO Ryan Smith sent the following email to hospital staff and providers:

“Earlier today, Sharon and I, like many of you, were notified that Dr. James (Jamie) Rupp died during a mountain climb in Colorado this weekend.  We are shocked and devastated at the passing of a great husband, father, physician, colleague and friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sandy, Tom, Alex and the rest of Dr. Rupp's family.  Dr. Rupp spent his entire career serving patients from all over our great State of Wyoming.  I feel extremely privileged to have worked with Dr. Rupp since he arrived in Douglas.  He was not only a brilliant physician and constant advocate for his patients, staff and profession, but a confidant and friend to me, and my family.  I can't imagine all of the family, providers, patients, employees, students, and many friends he impacted during his life and career, and the collective hurt we will share at his untimely passing.”

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