Ruth Robe Rudduck

Ruth Robe Rudduck, passed away Friday, September 30, 2011 at Swan Creek Retirement Center in Toledo, OH. Ruth is survived by her son, Richard Rudduck, Jr. of Bedford, NH, his wife, Kathleen, and her grandchildren, Camran Thompson and Arin Ainsleigh. She is also survived by her nieces, Rebecca Provens, Patricia Sue Tara West, and Jennifer Kobren; and nephews, John Hilt, Jr., Bill James, Jr., and Bruce Robe, Jr. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Richard Rudduck, Sr., sisters, Luella Hilt, Eleanor Kilbourn, and Phyllis James; and brother, Bruce Robe, Sr. Ruth was born in South Charleston, OH to W.E. and Adila Robe and then moved to Columbus, OH where she later met her husband at The Ohio State University. She worked in freshman admissions at the time. She previously worked as a model and then sales associate at Lazarus Department Store. Ruth and her husband married in 1955 and settled in Toledo, OH where Dr. Rudduck taught at the University of Toledo. Her passions included art, music in which she concentrated in college, and later her two grandchildren. There was no one she encountered who did not know about the twins, their adoption from Kazakhstan, and all of their activities and accomplishments. Ruth was active in the Toledo community including at Epworth United Methodist Church and the Toledo Museum of Art where she was a sustaining member of the volunteer Aides. Her passion for music was lifelong. At Epworth, she was active in youth ministry where she led the music program for the kindergarten and the youngest members in the Sunday School program. Up until her passing, Ruth provided music support to various Epworth activities, including playing the piano between Sunday services where she would, on occasion, with a smile, segue between traditional Charles Wesley hymns and Ohio State fight songs. She moved to the Swan Creek Retirement Village in 1998. She became an active member of various resident committees, including Marketing and Health Care Concerns. She frequently supported Vespers Services and other activities with her piano playing. During the last few months, Ruth was blessed with great love and companionship from her close friends, including Carolyn and Jack Wells, Irene and Sarah Kulwicki, and Sally Oberkfell, whose quiet, gracious acts of kindness comforted her so much. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 3-7:00pm at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd.. A memorial service will be at Epworth United Methodist Church, 3077 Valley View Dr. Ottawa Hills, OH 43615 on Friday at 1:00pm. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to one of the organizations that meant so much to Ruth: The Toledo Museum of Art, Epworth United Methodist Church, or the Dr. Richard Rudduck Scholarship Fund at the University of Toledo Business School, 2001 W. Bancroft Toledo, OH 43606. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.