Louisville mourns death of Kern's Kitchen president Alan Rupp, aka 'The Pie Man'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- More than 50 years after he joined the family business, the president of Kern's Kitchen has died.

Tributes are pouring in for Alan Scott Rupp, who passed away June 7 at the age of 70. Kern's Kitchen announced his death Sunday on Facebook, writing he believed in "passion and purpose."

Rupp was fondly known as "The Pie Man," according to his obituary. He loved playing golf, "had a fondness for nature and all its beauty" and was a supporter of the Kentucky Restaurant Association.

Rupp got his start in the family business in 1973, nearly 20 years after his grandparents, Walter and Leaudra Kern, created the very first Derby Pie in 1954 at the Melrose Inn in Prospect.

In an interview with WDRB in May 2023, Rupp recalled how the Derby Pie was born. He said his grandparents "wanted to develop something that was their touch, the specialty item for the restaurant. Then they sat around with some friends and put names in a hat, and 'Derby Pie' was pulled out."

By 1960, about 1,000 pies had been sold. That number grew to 100,000 pies by 2005, and the rest is history. Production ramps up each year as the Kentucky Derby approaches, with the kitchen turning out as many as 1,400 pies on a single day.

Rupp said he considered it an honor that so many people think of the Kentucky Derby, and then think of Derby Pie.

"I'm proud," he said. "This ride we get every year ... it's exciting."

Visitation is scheduled for 10 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at Ratterman Brothers East Louisville at 12900 Shelbyville Road, followed by a funeral ceremony from 1:15-2:15 p.m.

CLICK HERE to post a tribute to Rupp's obituary page. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to APRON, an organization that provides temporary financial assistance for professional food and beverage workers who unexpectedly lose their job due to illness, accident, emergency, or catastrophic event through no fault of their own.

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