Rudolph Ruzich's Obituary
Lt. Col. Rudolph Louis Ruzich (Ret.), 85, of Slate Mills, Virginia, passed away Thursday, September 2, 2010, peacefully after a long illness. Rudy was born July 22, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Rudy was career military, starting at age 17 by enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served on the USS Chatelain credited with capturing a German submarine, whose on board code machines led to the loss of German navy power in the Atlantic and an eventual turning point in the war.
After the war, Rudy attended Kent State University followed by enrollment in the U.S. Army Officer’s Candidate School. He served his country for 23 years with extensive travel overseas and in the U.S., including stints as a paratrooper and graduating General’s Staff School. Rudy was truly an officer and a gentleman bestowing the most honorable and ethical characteristics and was one of “The Greatest Generation”. He retired from his last station, the Pentagon, having attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Rudy was a member of the Culpeper American Legion Post # 330 and VFW Post #2524.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Renate Anna vonKuenheim Ruzich, born in Germany, his son, Peter Ruzich of Culpeper, a niece and her husband, Mary and Don Winland and a nephew and his wife, Joseph and Barbara Bettes.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Stephen Ruzich and Katherine Bettes.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, Virginia with Fr. Leo Zonneveld officiating.
Interment will follow in Culpeper National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Fauquier County SPCA Animal Shelter, 9350 Rogues Road, Midland, VA 22728.
An online guestbook and tribute wall is available at www.foundandsons.com
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is handling the arrangements.
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