Carl Edward Ruud

Carl Edward Ruud passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at his home in Cheney, Wash. at the age of 80. Carl was born to Carl Oliver Ruud and Eloise McKay Ruud in Waterville, Wash. Carl graduated in 1950 with letters in football, basketball, baseball and tennis.

He attended Wenatchee Valley College and Eastern Washington College of Education on football scholarships and graduated with a BA in Physical Education and Social Studies, certified to teach. At Eastern, he met and married Marlene Thiel in 1954. That year Carl “joined” the army and worked as a medic stationed in Germany until 1956.

Living in Cashmere, Wash., Carl served on the Cashmere Park Board and as president of the Cashmere Chamber of Commerce. He also went into partnership with his brother John to purchased and manage the R Chuckwagon Drive-In. While in Cashmere, he and Marlene had three daughters, Lisa, Tana and Lonna.

He received a Masters in Recreation Administration from the University of Illinois, and a Masters in Education and certification as a school counselor from EWSC.

In 1967, he and Marlene divorced. His family continued living in Cashmere, while he moved to Cheney. In 1968 he was employed by EWSC as assistant professor and director of the Upward Bound Program. In Cheney, he met Patricia Fuechsel-Ritzheimer and they married in 1968. He and Patsy continued to live in Cheney with her three young sons, Fred, Mike and Pete. In 1988, they became the parents of Patsy's grand-daughter Katie.

Carl's teaching and counseling career spanned from 1956 to 2002 in Cashmere, Priest River, Idaho and Spangle, Wash. He retired at age 71 after teaching for 43 years.

Beginning in 2005, he began playing guitar and singing with various partners at small venues, retirement centers and nursing homes, sharing his love of traditional and folk music. He loved gardening and participated in the Cheney Community Garden. He actively worked on his student apartments and enjoyed getting to know his renters.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his step-son Michael Ritzheimer. He is survived by his wife Patricia, his daughters, Lisa, Tana, Lonna and Katie Ritzheimer, his step-sons Fred and Pete Ritzheimer, his brothers and sisters, Fred Ruud, Lois Stinson, John Ruud, Francis Ruud, Esther Stradling and Ila Rupley. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews whom he loved and kept track.