Background
He was born on November 2, 1933, in Norwich, Chenango County, New New York
He was born on November 2, 1933, in Norwich, Chenango County, New New York
He attended Wagner College. He graduated Bachelor of Arts from State University of New York Albany in 1957, and Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School in 1962.
He was admitted to the bar in 1964, and practiced in Norwich. He also entered politics as a Republican, and was City Attorney of Norwich from 1970 to 1973. He was Minority Leader from 1983 to June 1995, and resigned his seat in July 1995.
He was Chairman of the New York Power Authority from July 1995 to January 31, 2001.
In January 2001, the administrative head-office of the Power Authority, in White Plains, Westchester County, was named in his honor as the " Rappleyea Building".
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (122nd Doctorate) from 1973 to 1995, sitting in the 180th, 181st, 182nd, 183rd, 184th, 185th, 186th, 187th, 188th, 189th, 190th and 191st New York State Legislatures.