Professor Ted Ruprecht taught in the Department of Economics from 1958-1992. His fields of study included International Economics, Trade Development, Comparative Systems, Micro Economics, Economic History, and Nautral Resource Economics. When Prof. Ruprecht came to Humboldt State College, there were only two economic faculty members and a student body of 2,000. 

Prof. Ruprecht was a recipient of the Outstanding Professor Award in 1970, which recognizes outstanding teaching. Despite being known as a very hard grader, Dr. Ruprecht was a very popular professor. Many students cite him as the inspiration for their decision to seek their PhD. One former student wrote "He was my favorite professor and I took at least two classes with him. I went for PhD in large part for a career like Ted's." Economics Alumni Don Lewis, who enjoyed a faculty career at The University of Wollongong in Australia, established the Dr. Ted Ruprecht Research Assistantship in Economics. The Ruprecht Assistantship provides a stipend to students in order for them to work with faculty members on important research. 

Ted was born in Brooklyn and was a lifelong Dodgers fan. His family eventually moved to Long Beach, California and Ted became a track sprinter in high school and college. He even tried out for the U.S. Olympic team. Ted went to Occidental College for his undergraduate degree and earned his Ph.D in Economics at UC Berkeley. His disseration was titled “Population Growth and Egyptian Economic Development” As a graduate student, Ted published a paper in the prestigious American Economic Review. As a faculty member, he was awarded Fulbright research grants in the Philippines and Bulgaria. He published a book titled "The micro-economics of demographic change."

After leaving Cal Poly Humboldt, Ted enjoyed traveling, gardening and taking classes. He was active in the Ride & Tie Association, serving as a board member and the treasurer, as well as managing two World Championships in Humboldt County. He also served as a board member and treasurer for the Redwood Empire Endurance Riders. Ted was a founder of Save Rural Trinidad and a board member of the ensuing Trinidad Coastal Land Trust. 

Ted Ruprecht died on December 14, 2024. His obituary was printed the following month.