Charles Albert "Dutch" Ruppersberger III (1946- )
Researched by John D. Barrett
Generation No. 13

Ancestral line: A1 Jerg Horine | B1 Jacob Horein | C8 George Horein | D1 Johannes Horein | E3 Hans Adam Hohrein | F1 Tobias Horine | G7 Tobias Horine II | H7 Tobias Horine III | H9 John Henry Horine | I9 Martin M. Horine | J1 Alvey John Horine | K1 Ethel Routzahn Horine | L3 Charles Albert Ruppersberger, Jr.

M1 Charles Albert "Dutch" Ruppersberger III, was born January 30, 1946 in the University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. He married Kay Murphy December 28, 1967. Two children.

Charles Albert "Dutch" Ruppersberger III is a graduate of the University of Maryland Law School. He works in the State Attorney's Office, Baltimore County, County Executive, Baltimore County, Maryland.


C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger is the tenth County Executive since Baltimore County's adoption of home-rule charter in 1957. He began his first term in office on Dec. 5, 1994. On November 3, 1998, Ruppersberger was elected to a second term, winning more than 70% of the vote in the countywide general election.

As County Executive, Mr. Ruppersberger is responsible for oversight of all local government functions for a jurisdiction of 725,780 residents and management of a $1.5 billion budget. Public safety, education, economic development and infrastructure maintenance are key services provided by Baltimore County's local government. In his 1998 inaugural address, the county executive announced four new initiatives that focus on enhancing opportunities for youth and combating juvenile crime.

During Mr. Ruppersberger's tenure, Baltimore County succeeded in obtaining its third AAA bond rating from a major financial rating agency. Baltimore County is now one of only nine jurisdictions in the nation with three AAA bond ratings. In November of 1996, the County's Police Department was named among the best in the nation by Good Housekeeping magazine. The magazine's year-long study by 17 law enforcement experts named the County department with seven others deemed the best suburban forces in the United States.

In 2002 Mr Ruppersberger, after considering becoming a candidate for the office of Governor of Maryland, decided instead to contest for the US Congress seat from the 2nd District of Maryland. Mr. Ruppersberger was elected with 67% of the vote and now holds that office. He was elected a member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence.

Congressman Ruppersberger and soldierswaiting for flights at BWI airport
Congressman Ruppersberger and soldiers
waiting for flights at BWI airport.
During his first term in Congress, the congressman was instrumental in establishing "Hero Miles". Although the Armed Forces provided air fare to the US for servicemen on leave, their fare from point of entry to their home towns were not covered. Mr. Ruppersberger persuaded the air-lines and others to donate "frequent flyer" mileage to these servicemen, which has enabled thousands to travel at no, or very little out of pocket expense.

A native of Baltimore, Mr. Ruppersberger resides in the Cockeysville section of the County. He is married and has two children.

Prior to his election as County Executive, Mr. Ruppersberger served for nine years on the Baltimore County Council, representing the Third Councilmanic District. He was twice elected by his peers to serve as Chairman of the Council.

He attended Baltimore City College and the University of Maryland, College Park, where he played varsity lacrosse. In 1967 he played on Lacrosse Team USA. In 1970, Mr. Ruppersberger earned his degree from the University of Baltimore Law School and passed the Maryland Bar Exam.

Between 1972 and 1980, Mr. Ruppersberger served as Baltimore County Assistant State's Attorney, where he became Chief of the State's Attorney's Office Investigative Division. For the 14 years prior to his election as County Executive, he was a partner in the law firm of Ruppersberger, Clark and Mister.

In addition to his duties as County Executive, Mr. Ruppersberger offers his service to a variety of prominent local institutions.

He now serves as a member of the Maryland Shock Trauma Board of Visitors; he is a Charter Member of the Greater Baltimore Alliance, an agency that promotes economic development for the Baltimore metropolitan region; he was President of the Maryland Association of Counties in 1996 and remains an active member of that organization.


Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat
(Honor to One Who Earns It)

The motto of the Alumni Hall of Fame at City College of Baltimore, of which Dutch is a member.

Member; Board of Visitors, U of Maryland Medical System
Delegate: Maryland Delegation to the 2000 Democratic National Convention:


Named as "Lacrosse Royalty" by Baltimore Magazine and one of 50 outstanding people connected with lacrosse who are "mover's and shaker's in Maryland.

C.A. RUPPERSBERGER III "Dutch" Ruppersberger played lacrosse the same way he now plays politics--tough and no-nonsense, but always straight from the hip. And his lacrosse resume is even more impressive than his political one: a star at City College in the early '60s; a star at the University of Maryland; and a spot on the '67 U.S. team. His playing career ended in 1972, when he broke a leg during a game. "The most difficult thing for me was realizing it was time to give it up," he says. "I can really empathize with these guys who hang on too long."

To ease the transition, he turned to supporting the Cockeysville Rec Council youth programs that his kids, Cory and Jill, participated in. "It was a way of life for us," he says. "I loved it." Even after he started making a mark in politics, Ruppersberger found time to help start a girls' lacrosse program in Cockeysville. He also was instrumental in reviving the annual Towson vs. Dulaney lacrosse game. "Rivalries like that are what make the game exciting," he says.

-Baltimore Magazine


Children of Charles Ruppersberger and Kay Murphy are:

    N1 Charles Albert "Cory" Ruppersberger IV, born February 11, 1974 in Baltimore, Maryland.

    N2 Jill Ann Ruppersberger, born September 29, 1978. Jill served on the Student Advisory Committee, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. She was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi, the Honor Society at James Madison University, as a Junior. In the Class of 2000 Jill was cited for Outstanding Achievement by a Psychology Senior.


The Horine Family History is a compilation of information gathered over the past 60+ years by Mr. Paul G. Horine, Darla (Horine) Jones, John David Barrett, Eric T. Davis, Karen Montgomery, and many other contributors.

Horine Family History Home Page | Tree Outline of Horine Generations