Passing of Rene Dupuis

Long-Time MRCA and NRCA member passes away.

Rene Dupuis has been a long time member of the MRCA family.  He is a most deserving recipient of the MRCA James Q. McCawley Award and worked many years with the MRCA Technical and Research Committee.  His contribution of research and insights to the roofing industry over these many years has improved the industry as a whole, tremendously.  He will be greatly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Below is his obituary with information on arrangements. The family has opened a scholarship fund at the University of Wisconsin – Department of Civil Engineering in his name. It will be an endowment to maintain this named scholarship as long as the department is in existence.  

There should be a functioning donation link on the University Page for friends and family to donate by the end of the day tomorrow. If Rene’s services are available by live stream, that information will be provided as well.

Rene M. Dupuis, age 77, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Agrace Hospice Care with his family at his side. He was born on June 25, 1942, in Wausau, Wis., the son of LaVern and Gertrude (Moss) Dupuis.

Rene was raised on a farm near Mosinee, Wis. He graduated from Mosinee High School in 1960 and then proudly served his country with the US Navy, participating in the Cuban Missile Crisis Blockade. In 1964 he married his high school sweetheart, Rita Mijal. Rene and Rita moved to Madison, Wis., where Rene would obtain his engineering education at the University of Wisconsin – Madison; a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering (1967), Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (1968), a Master of Science in Civil Engineering (1969) and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (1973). After teaching Engineering for a short period at State University of New York, Rene moved into private engineering practice. He and close friends from the University of Wisconsin Engineering Program founded Structural Research Inc (SRI) in Middleton, Wis. in1978.

Rene would use his problem-solving skills and sharp mind to carve a path in the roofing industry. Quickly he became a well-known designer and researcher worldwide, in every sense an expert in his field. From his first industry presentation in 1978, until days before his passing Rene developed a love and commitment to the roofing industry he served; providing research, education and expertise to thousands with over 100 published works and many hundreds more technical presentations. Further, many of his closest friends came from this industry to which he devoted his life and career. He will be remembered as a consummate gentleman and professional. Always extending a courtesy to even the newest and youngest in the roofing community as equally as to those seminal in the roofing industry.  

Beyond work, Rene was a family man raising three children in Middleton, Wis. He was proud of his daughter who followed in his footsteps as a teacher, and of his two sons whom he mentored as they obtained their engineering degrees. He was a soccer coach for his children and served his community for ten years on the Middleton City Council as the alderman for his district in the 1980s. An avid pilot, for many years he enjoyed flying himself to various places for his engineering work. Rene kept his lawn in golf course condition, at all times and his garage was filled with all the machines and gadgets he believed were required to do that properly.

Later years would find Rene and Rita as traveling companions to the common and uncommon corners of the world, enjoying life. Rene became a doting grandfather in 2004 and life was never quite the same for him. He had a new purpose, to teach and watch over his grandchildren with as much or more love and intensity than he had his children. He will be missed by all that knew him, and all that loved him.

Rene is survived by his daughter, Michelle Dupuis; his two sons, Justin (Marji) Dupuis and Mathew (Pam) Dupuis; two grandchildren, Zachary Dupuis and Alexandra Dupuis; brother, Andre (Jackie) Dupuis; and sister, Yvonne Dupuis; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Rita in Oct. 2019.

A Memorial Mass will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2020, with the Rev. Fr. Brian Wilk presiding.  Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2020, and again from 10 a.m. until the start of the service on Saturday at the church.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761

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