Josip Seriojanovich Wepka II, the son of a farmer and woodworker from a remote peasant village in Nortviertel Province, became premier of Rocaterrania upon the death of President Gorghendi Kahn in 1963. As a young man, Wepka studied to become priest in the Ojallic theological seminary student, but dropped his studies to become a revolutionary in the 1950s, eventually pursuing a career in politics. He served as premier until he died of exhaustion in 1995--as had his predecessor, Gorghendi Kahn. Wepka had worked himself to death.
Personal Significance:
In 1963, Kuhler had his name legally changed from Ronaldo Otto Louis Kuhler to Renaldo Gillet Kuhler (Gillet being his mother’s maiden name) as a means to stake a new claim on his identity. This major life event was represented by President Kahn’s death and Josip Wepka’s appointment as premier of Rocaterrania.
Considered a benevolent dictator, Wepka represented the rigorous self-discipline Kuhler applied in his endeavors to teach himself the craft of scientific illustration, build a satisfying career, become independent from his parents once and for all, educate himself in religion, languages, world history, and many other subjects, and “become the man (he) always wanted to be – (himself).”
Influence:
Russia’s Joseph Stalin inspired the character and likeness of Josip Wepka who, like Stalin, attended a theological seminary, but abandoned his studies to attend secret worker’s meetings, become a revolutionary, and align himself with Kahn (Lenin) and the Federal Socialists
(Bolsheviks). It must be noted, however, that unlike Stalin, Wepka was neither ruthless nor corrupt–he was much loved, never feared, by the people of Rocaterrania.