Robert R. Ruf, age 92 of Cambridge formerly of Darlington passed away Monday, Nov. 7, 2016 at Autumn Winds of Oakland in Cambridge. He was born May 2, 1924 in Kendall Township in Lafayette County the son of Christian and Lena (Siegenthaler) Ruf. Bob graduated from Darlington High School in 1942. He served as a Merchant Marine during World War 2. He was united in marriage to Maxine Douglas on Dec. 6, 1947 at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Darlington. Bob and Maxine farmed and owned and operated the grocery store in Fayette for a short time before moving to Darlington where Bob began selling for the Rural Insurance Company. Bob eventually moved to Huron, S.D. where he became a sales manager for the entire state and later seven counties in the central WI area. He and his wife Maxine eventually retired to Pardeeville.
Bob is survived by his children: Nancy (Tom) Arguello of Bettendorf, Iowa, Joy (Greg) Schwartz of Mount Horeb and Todd (Brenda) Ruf of Arlington; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one son-in-law; Ed Edwards of Boscobel and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Maxine in 2005; one daughter: Vicki Edwards; one grandson: Brian Goodman; five brothers: Ernest, Paul, Warner, Frank, and Otto Ruf; two sisters: Anna Ruf and Marie Wernke; and one son-in-law: James Selje.
Bob was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Darlington and president of its Church Council from 1960 - 1965.
A funeral service was held Friday, Nov. 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel United Church of Christ (339 E. Louisa Street, Darlington) with Rev. Larry Balleine officiating. Burial was at Union Grove Cemetery in Darlington where military graveside rites were accorded. A visitation was held Friday, Nov. 11, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Bob’s name.
The family would like to thank the staff at Autumn Winds of Oakland in Cambridge for their care and compassion over the past ten years and most recently Rainbow Hospice of Jefferson.
Robert Ruf
1924-2016