Alice Weber Rumpler, a Riverdale resident since 1963, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, May 22nd. She was at the Methodist Home Nursing and Rehabilitation Center recovering from a hairline fracture in her leg. She was 97. She is survived by daughters Katherine Rumpler of NYC and Monika Howard and spouse Donald Alfred, of Riverdale; grandson Donald Johannes Howard, also of Riverdale; niece Heidi Andersen and spouse Thor, of White Plains; nephews Rolf Balmer and spouse Vreni and Hans-Peter Balmer of Switzerland. She was born in Berne, Switzerland and immigrated to New York in 1953. After marrying her husband Hans Rumpler (deceased 1996) in 1954, she made her home on Dash Place in Riverdale. She worked as a bookkeeper and door-to-door Avon distributor. She was also a devoted member of the Swiss Benevolent Society.
She was also an accomplished artist, co-founding The Riverdale Art Group on Independence Ave. All her paintings were oil on canvas. She started with portraits and realistic subjects. She then graduated to geometrics, surrealistic and realistic shapes and fantasies. She studied painting under various artists including Zita Querido, Roger Van Damme, Steven Lo Monaco, Marshall Glazier and Frank Mason. She has had numerous art exhibitions at the Bronx Museum of the Arts; Union Carbide Bldg.; Beth Abraham Hospital; Chase Bank; Waldorf Astoria Hotel; Goethe-House and the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit. She has also had several art exhibitions in Switzerland.
She cared deeply about helping those in need. She has been a sponsor of various children through the Compassion Organization for decades. She also contributed to various organizations such as St. Jude, The Bowery, Visiting Nurse Services, Boys Town, City Meals on Wheels, NY Public Library, Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and the Polio Assoc. of NY.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 30, from 5-8pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave., Bronx NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any of the charities listed above.