Floyd Rudolph Hrupsa

Floyd Rudolph Hrupsa

“The Basket Maker”

Floyd Rudolph Hrupsa passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at the age of 89. He was born in Felton, Delaware. He was the son of the late Rudolph P Hrupsa and Elizabeth Minner Hrupsa.

Floyd was a loving husband, father, Pop-Pop, brother, and uncle, who enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a hard-working man, who liked to stay active and was always outside working on a project. There wasn’t anything he could not fix. He enjoyed family get-togethers and attending the various tractor shows with his family.

Floyd grew up on his father’s dairy farm milking cows by hand and doing field work. He graduated from Felton High School in 1951. After graduation he started his own growing grain farm and working in his grandfather’s (Thomas Minner) basket factory. He went into the Navy in 1955. He served on ships that sailed through Panama Locks, rock of Gibraltar, escorted tankers through Suez Canal crisis, crossed the equator line 2 times sailed to the north pole and many other ports in the Mediterranean Sea and become an official Blue Hose. After his discharge from the Navy, he went back to grain farming and worked for the Delaware Department of Transportation - DelDOT as a heavy equipment operator. While there in 1964, he petitioned the Delaware State Legislature so the State Employees could form a Union. This was approved and Floyd won the election of President. During his time as Union President, he got approved, the 40-hour work week for employees down to 37 ½ hours with the same pay. As a contract negotiator he got more sick time and vacation time approved for employees, uniforms for employees, Blue Cross for all. He helped employees get a credit union of their own, better pay grades, death benefits for retirees. He became the maintenance supervisor of the Magnolia Highway Yard (Area 7) He overseen 400 miles of road in the area, 25 employees and 50 pieces of equipment. He worked with Fire Company’s, State Police and politicians when needed. In 1990 he retired from Delaware Department of Transportation with 34 years of service. In 1997 he retired from farming of 46 years. He served 35 years as the Tax Ditch manager for Petersburg Tax Ditch. With time on his hands, Floyd started making red cedar baskets and walnut baskets. These baskets were made right from the tree, he had his own sawmill, he made 3 sizes, 2 Qt, 5/8 and a Bushel. His wife Ruth made the padded tops and garters with various fabric scenes. He was featured by famous photographer Kevin Fleming in the “Delaware” Book which is found in most libraries in the US. He restored his Massey Harris tractors and equipment. He would take his basket making and Massey Harris equipment to the various tractor shows. He participated in Old Dover Days, Delaware Ag Museum, Hickory Ridge Milford, DE, First State Antique Tractor Club Seaford, DE, Harrington Heritage Day, Mason Dixon Historical Society Westminster, MD, Redman’s show Georgetown, DE, Parletts Antique Show Charlotte Hall, MD, Wilhelm’s Farm Show PA, Easton Shore Threshermen Steam and Gas Show Federalsburg, MD, Tuckahoe Steam & Gas Show, Easton, MD, Rough & Tumble Threshermen’s Reunion Show, Kinzer, PA, Steam–O– Rama Show, Windsor, PA. Floyd enjoying spending time at these show with family and friends and talking about old times. These memories will be cherished for a lifetime by his loved ones and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Frances Marie Hrupsa, Mathilda Knapp and his daughter Constance “Connie” L Ivins.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Ruth L Hrupsa, daughters and son-in-laws, Yvonne (Bonnie) L Yoder and Larry, Susan L Welch and Timmy, William (Billy) Ivins, Jr, grandchildren, Courtney Ivins (Jimmy), Zachery Welch and Ryan Yoder; Siblings, Phyllis Pearson (Donald), Mary Thresa Allen (Bob), Claire Lea Melvin, Bartos Hrupsa (Thelma) and Thomas Hrupsa (Barbara). He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 1:00pm in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, Main Street, Felton, DE, where friends may call Tuesday, October 11, 2022 from 6 pm 8pm. Burial will be in Hopkins Cemetery, Felton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Floyd’s memory to the following:

Tuckahoe Steam And Gas Show, P O Box 636, Easton, MD 21601

Shore Threshermen Steam and Gas Show Federalsburg, C/O Trisha Todd, 4703 Smithville Rd, Federalsburg, MD 21632