Captain Charles Kenneth Ruiz

Captain Charles Kenneth Ruiz, US Navy (Retired) passed away at his home in Henderson, Nevada on Tuesday, December 30, 2014. He was born to Charles Alfred and Elsa (nee Barshar) Ruiz on July 11, 1921 in Rock Island, Illinois. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in June 1942, Class of 1943. In thirty-three years of naval service, he fought in four different areas of sea warfare starting with surface warfare in the cruiser USS Vincennes (CA-44). The Vincennes was sunk off Guadacanal during the Battle of Savo Island on August 9, 1942. Captain Ruiz survived nine hours in the shark infested waters without a life vest. After Vincennes sinking, he volunteered for submarine duty and reported to USS Pollack (SS-180). In Pollack he completed eight war patrols. In 1946, Captain Ruiz completed flight training as a fighter pilot. Captain Ruiz, also, had a tour with the Bureau of Aeronautics office at the McDonnell Aircraft company as acceptance test pilot. In 1954, he deployed to the Korean War in USS Tarawa as executive officer of Jet Fighter Squadron 102 flying F4U Corsairs. Later he commanded Jet Attack Squadron 72 flying A4 Skyhawks. As a senior naval officer, he then attended Harvard Business School. Starting in 1967, he commanded the attack carrier USS Bon Homme Richard for two Vietnam War deployments. She was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation for each deployment and a Presidential Unit Citation for the 1967 deployment. After leaving the Bon Homme Richard, he had a Navy billet at the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff at SAC in Omaha. Captain Ruiz’s final assignment was as senior military professor at the Naval War College where he held the Admiral William Halsay Chair of Air Strike Warfare. In 2005, Captain Ruiz published his first book, The Luck of the Draw, about his years of service in the submarine force. In 2014, he published his second book, Three War Captain, about the remaining part of his career in carrier aviation. Captain Ruiz served on the sea, under the sea, over the sea, and in the sea (as a result of the Vincennes sinking). While on active duty Captain Ruiz earned two Masters Degrees, one in International Affairs and one in Economics. He completed these degrees in conjunction with his full-time military duties. After his retirement from the Navy in 1972, he worked in the finance industry. He owned a seat on the Pacific Stock Exchange and traded as a specialist both there and on the Chicago Board of Options Exchange for over fifteen years. In 1955, Ken married Judith Arbogust. After many duty stations around the world, they settled in Henderson in 1986. Ken and Judith divided their time between Henderson and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Ken was an avid animal lover and helped Judith form the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society in 1991. Ken was also involved in the Las Vegas Chapter of the Naval Academy Alumni Association and the Retired Officers Association. Ken is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Judith; son Richard Ruiz of Carlsbad, CA; grandchildren, Ken Ruiz of Los Angeles, Anna Araya and her husband John, and Robert Ruiz, all of Carlsbad; and a one year old, great grandson, Justin Araya. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a contribution to the charity of your choice be made. Services will be held 12 O’clock in the afternoon, Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at Southern Nevada Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, NV 89005.