Arthur J Ruess

Arthur J. Ruess of Perrysburg, Ohio returned to his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, June 1. He was 88. Arthur was born to Dorothy C. and E. Frederick Ruess on June 18, 1932 in the Bronx, New York. He graduated high school from De La Salle Institute in 1951. Art studied at Brooklyn Polytechnic before transferring to Purdue University and enlisting in their Army ROTC program in 1952. In 1955, Art graduated with a degree in chemical engineering and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Arthur fulfilled his ROTC commitment at Fort McClellan, Alabama. He was called back into service by the U.S. Army for the Chemical Corps during the Berlin Crisis in 1961 and was stationed at Fort Bragg. Arthur was honorably discharged as a captain. Art began his engineering career with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron. Here, Art’s friend introduced him to his dental hygienist, Nancy Lee Ricker. On May 3, 1958, Art and Nancy were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Martins Ferry, Ohio. In 1960, Art took a position with the McHugh Company in Indianapolis and remained in their employ until 1978. In 1978, Arthur was hired by United Technologies as a research chemist where he pioneered efforts to develop carburetor floats for use in ethanol-based fuel systems; this project was driven by the 1970’s oil embargo and our nation’s quest towards energy independence. Art retired in 1990. Arthur was an active member of his church parishes as a Cub Scout Master, Catechism teacher, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and accountant. Art also volunteered with Nancy at St. Louis’s soup kitchen. Art was an avid golfer and a faithful fan of the Purdue Boilermakers. He enjoyed playing in couples bridge clubs with his wife. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and American Legion Post 335. Despite his New York City upbringing, Art embraced the outdoors. His sons fondly remember a 2 week trip spent exploring and fishing in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. His kind and gentle spirit will be remembered and missed by all who knew him. Arthur was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert. Arthur is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 63 years, Nancy and their 4 children: Fred (Joan) of Golden, CO; Chris (Lee Ann) of Upper Arlington, OH; Paul (Jennifer) of Powell, OH; and Gretchen (Ty) of Perrysburg, OH and 10 grandchildren: Christian, Anna, Grace Ann, Leo, Jack, Anne Marie, William, Nicole, Peter, and Benjamin. A heartfelt thank you is extended to Art and Nancy’s dear neighbors, the Newtons who are always so helpful and caring! The family wishes to thank the amazing staff of Hospice of Northwest Ohio. The family will receive friends starting at 10:00 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church, 215 E. Front Street, Perrysburg on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 with a Memorial Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. The service at the St. Rose Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to St. Rose Catholic Church, Way Public Library of Perrysburg, or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Condolences may be made online to the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.