Rene Ruiz

Ren Ruiz was born in Santa Clara, Cuba to the late Crescencio and Rosa Ruiz. A graduate of the Jesuit Institute of Santa Clara and the University of Havana, Ren received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence and was a professor at the University of Havana. He began a long, distinguished career in law and become a partner at the law firm of Fernandez, Ruiz and Ferrer. He worked as a public defender for the State Court in Havana. Ren represented the Cuban Government under Fidel Castro as a director in the Department of Housing. In 1961, he received a provisional permit to travel to the U.S. to represent boxer Benny The Kid Paret in a legal case. Ren never returned to his native Cuba. In order to subsist as a political refugee in the United States, Ren took numerous jobs in Miami, Florida. As a Cuban professional, he eventually secured a position in Washington, D.C. as a translator and legal representative for the court system. He later moved to New York City where he worked for the Welfare Department during the day and studied at New York University at night earning a Doctorate of Romance Languages and Literature. In the late 1960s, Ren began teaching at Bowling Green State University as a professor where he remained until retiring in 1994 as Professor Emeritus. He is survived by his loving wife Diane Goddu Ruiz; sons, Ren Grisel Ruiz and Arturo Mary Ruiz; grandchildren, Michelle, Jennifer, Nicole and Kristina; two great grandchildren; mother-in-law, Marie R. Goddu; brother-in-law, Roger Kate Goddu; Denise Winston; caregiver, Ann Marie Woolwine; and many beloved nephews, nieces, and cousins. Ren was preceded in death by brothers, Rafael Felo, Luis, and Victor Keko Ruiz. A true American patriot and an incredibly special man, Ren will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-8 PM at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd., where a scripture service will be held at 7:30 PM. Funeral Mass and burial will take place in Miami, Florida. Memorials are suggested to the Dr. Ren Ruiz Scholarship, BGSU Foundation, Inc. Mileti Alumni Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403-0055. Online condolences can be left at walkerfuneralhomes.com.