Edward A. Ruch, 90, of Wadsworth, passed away on Friday, August 18.   He was born in Akron on December 9, 1925, to the late Arvine and Margaret (Gifford) Ruch.

During World War II, Ed left Wadsworth High School his junior year and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard.   He served on the Frigate USS Eugene escorting convoys to the Mediterranean Theater of War, and then later the Southwest Pacific.   After participating in the Invasion of the Philippines, his ship was sent back to the U.S. and retired.   Ed was sent to Norfolk, VA and ended his service on a Coast Guard Cutter in that area.

After returning to Wadsworth, he went back to high school and graduated with the Class of 1946.   That same year he married his high school sweetheart, Martha Sondles.   The following fall he entered Kent State University, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business.   Ed was a sales rep for The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. for 12 years, prior to starting a janitorial service under the name of Regal Maintenance.   He was the owner/operator of that business for over 40 years.

Ed was a long-time member of Rawiga Country Club.   He was also a charter member of The Wadsworth Gyro Club and was active in that club for many years. In addition, Ed was a lifetime member of the Wadsworth American Legion Post 170.   In his younger years, he was an avid bowler on their teams.  In 2010, Ed made the Honor Flight to see the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.   He also enjoyed following the Wadsworth Grizzlies, The OSU Buckeyes, and The Cleveland Cavaliers.

Ed is survived by his wife of almost 70 years (August 24) Martha;  sons, John E. Ruch of Cincinnati,  James E. Ruch (Paula) of Copley;  daughter, Ann E. Bach of Wadsworth;  and special friend, Marigo Ruch of Cincinnati;  seven grandchildren, Peter Bach of Akron, Alex Bach of Chicago, Nicholas, Kristin and Olivia Ruch of Cincinnati, Jack and Michael Ruch of Copley.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 1, from 5 - 8 p.m at Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home, 174 N. Lyman St., Wadsworth, Ohio.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Prince of Peace Parrish, 1263 Shannon Ave., Barberton, with Father Robert Jackson officiating, on Friday, September 2 at 10 a.m.   Inurnment will follow at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Seville, Ohio, with full military honors.

We especially want to thank the staff at Altercare in Wadsworth for the special care they gave Ed.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Medical Center, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, or one of your favorite charities.

Hilliard-Rospert   330-334-1501 www.HilliardRospert.com

Ed Ruch
Wadsworth High School
Graduating Class of 1946

[Picture from 1941.]  

Row 1: Laura Rossman, Lois Rogers, Faye Saal.

Row 2:  Marian Young, Gerry Shannon, Eleanor Schenk.

Row 3:   Jim Saffles, Ed Ruch, Franklin Waldo, Gerald Rock. 

WHS Grizzly Reserve Football Team, 1941.  Row 1: Bill Root, Frank Kinda, Ira Griner, Elmer Weber, Jack Casenheiser, Frank Napolitino, Junior McCrork, Jack Hall.  Alfred Bacso.  Row 2: Mr. Rattenbury (Coach), Alonzo Martin, Ted Rader, Richard Hackenberg, Ed Wilson, Ed Ruch, Robert Russell, George Kapiton, Dick Rohrer, Perry Miller.  Row 3: Bill Allen, Robert Rood, Roy Shue, Tom Garn, Santo Doccolo, Russel Wismer, March Fritz, James Foreman, James Mason.

_____________________________________________________________  

Julie Batey  (WHS 1985), Chair, Wadsworth High School Alumni Association. 524 Broad Street, Wadsworth OH 44281.  

Past obituaries, class information, and alumni news is available at www.wadsworthalumni.com.  Please contact us at whsalumni.1@gmail.com. To view WCTV television programs featuring Wadsworth High School and other Wadsworth news, go to http://my.pegcentral.com.   Please consider becoming a supporting member of the Alumni Association by sending a check addressed to "WHS ALUMNI ASSOC."  for $10 (annual dues) or $100 (lifetime dues) to Sally Porter, WHSAA Treasurer, 524 Broad Street, Wadsworth, OH 44281.  Memorial donations in honor of the deceased may also be sent to the WHS Alumni Association at the address above.