Louis Aull was born in South Carolina. He graduated from Clemson University in 1931 with a Bachelor of Science. Louis served in World War II from 1943 to 1946, after which he earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Kentucky in 1948.

For 30 years, Louis worked with the Soil Conservation Service. After retiring from federal service, he accepted a faculty position in the Soil Science Department at North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

Louis was among the first in the state to predict suitability of soils for septic tank systems based on soil properties instead of the "perc test". He and Ed Ruppert from the Environmental Health Section were primarily responsible for the first comprehensive set of soil based rules for septic tank systems adopted in 1976. After rule adoption, Louis helped teach soils to sanitarians across the state so they could implement the "new rules". Louis had a colorful teaching style. Many of the euphemisms he used to describe soils are still heard around the state. All who work in the onsite field owe Louis Aull a debt of gratitude for his truly pioneering work.

Ed Ruppert was born in Maryland. He received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Maryland. Ed's first career was with the Public Health Service. He worked as a sanitarian, eventually rising to the position of Assistant Director.

John Andrews, former head of the Environmental Health Section, hired Ed in 1973 after he retired from federal service. Ed came to the section with a strong background in rule making from his federal experience. Shortly after joining the Section, Ed was given responsibility to oversee development of rules for septic tank systems. Ed saw the need for statewide standards and recognized the need to base these standards on accepted soil science practices. Not being a soil scientist himself, Ed sought the help of the Soil Science Department at North Carolina State University. With the help of Louis Aull, Joe Phillips and others from the university, Ed helped write the first set of comprehensive soil based rules for septic tanks systems. Steve Steinbeck took over these duties after his hiring and the rest is history as they say.

Ed Ruppert went on to distinguish himself by developing the state-wide milk program and received many honors for his service to that program. Today, few who write septic tank permits using our soil-based rules realize the debt of gratitude owed to this distinguished "Milkman".

Ed and his wife, Peg, retired to Tarboro, NC. They are survived by a son, Graham, and daughter, Carol.

Please address any questions to Dr. David Lindbo.

This page (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/plymouth/septic/98fame.html) created by
Vera MacConnell, Research Technician, I on November 3, 1998.
Last Updated on June 3, 1999.

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