Charles David Ruff

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Charles David Ruff, 84, of Somerville, NJ. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on December 7 at United Reformed Church in Somerville.

Charles David Ruff (Dave), son of Josephine and Lowell H. Ruff, was born on October 21, 1935, the youngest of three children, and was raised in Columbus, Ohio. Dave graduated from North High School in 1953, then studied chemical engineering and earned his degree from Ohio State University in 1958. He served the US Army in Baltimore and was honorably discharged. Dave began his career in chemical engineering in Newark, Ohio, then moved to New Jersey and worked in air pollution control for Johns Manville in Manville, Davis Industrial in Newark, Rhodia in New Brunswick, and Recon Systems in Three Bridges. After marrying Pat Krumme in 1958, they raised three children, Judith, Philip, and Karen, in Highland Park. Dave was remarried to Dorothy Thatcher in 1986, and became stepfather to Dorothy, Robert, Susan, Barbara, Lorlyn, Stephen, and David.

Dave was a life-long tinkerer who loved to tackle any project and see it through to completion. He was a member of United Reformed Church and was especially dedicated to the ministry of the church through The Farm (Earthrise) just outside Frenchtown, New Jersey. There he and his family spent countless hours together clearing trails, fixing things in the house, sledding, and enjoying the goodness of God’s good earth.

Dave died at home on November 26, 2019. He leaves behind his sister, Nancy Ruff DeWeese of Bethany Beach, DE, his stepchildren Dorothy A. Munoz, Robert M. Thatcher, Susan L. Lausterer, Lorlyn M. Reedy, Stephen E. Thatcher, David B. Thatcher, his children, Karen R. Noll, Philip Ruff, and Judith Ruff, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Dorothy J. Thatcher, his parents, Josephine and Lowell H. Ruff, his brother, Lowell H. Ruff, Jr., his stepdaughter, Barbara J. Sackie. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

​In lieu of flowers, please send donations to renovate the White House at Horseshoe Bend Park East (formerly The Farm) to Kingwood Township, c/o Richard Dodd, with “White House Fund” in the notes.