Robin Neal Ruel

Robin was born on July 15th 1954 to Nona Tull and William Ruel in Sacramento, California. Robin grew up in Etna, California. He lived with his mother, Nona, and his siblings until he was 8 years old. He then moved with his Uncle Bill Tull and lived on a Navy Base in San Diego, California. He stayed with his uncle for a short while, then eventually ended up moving back to Etna, Ca to live with his grandmother, Doris Irene Coatney. He was a Scott Valley boy at heart. Robin would always say “This is where my roots are.” Robin’s grandfather owned Etna Hardware Store and he worked there through high school to help his family out. Robin was a true athlete. He played all sports while in high school, and still holds some records at Etna High School. Robin’s favorite sport of all was baseball. He loved listening to the baseball game on the radio, he didn’t care if he didn’t know anyone who was playing, he would still go down to the baseball fields just to watch the game. He truly enjoyed that. Professional or not, he just loved the game.

Robin graduated from Etna High School in 1972, immediately after he enlisted in to U.S. Navy. Robin served in the Navy from 1972-1975. He was honorably discharged a little early and sent home due to his beloved grandmothers death. He was a first gunners mate aboard the U.S.S. Tuscaloosa. Serving in the Navy was one of the most honorable and life changing experiences of Robin’s life. Robin was a proud Veteran. He received the National Defense Service Medal.

In 1976, Robin went into the Carpenters Apprenticeship Program. He excelled at it, and graduated from the program with a certificate of completion and became a Union Carpenter. He worked all over Northern California as a Carpenter building schools, hospitals, bridges. Anything you can think of, he built it. Robin went wherever the work was. In 1988, Robin moved to Del Norte County to help build Pelican Bay State Prison. He lived there from 1988 to 2013. When he wasn’t building for the carpenters, he would work out of the harbor as a fisherman Crabber. He loved the ocean. He knew how to crab, fish, find clams, and mussels and he truly loved it. He would always be cooking something up fresh out of the ocean. If it wasn’t sea food he was cooking, it was deer meat. He loved to hunt. He grew up living off the land and to him, there was no other way. When Robin wasn’t crabbing or building, he would go cut firewood. It was a great way to make some extra cash and he loved that too. He always had firewood, and he knew all the best places to find it. He would make sure he was stocked up with a few cords, and then he would have extra so he could sell or help out a friend or neighbor who needed some. Robin truly enjoyed being in the mountains.

In 2013, Robin moved to Mendocino County to be closer to his daughter and grandchildren. Robin loved to go fishing at Lake Emily and Lake Mendocino. One of his favorite things to do was to take his grandchildren fishing .He was a very proud grandfather. The most important thing in the world to Robin was his family. Nothing meant more.

Robin missed the National Forest in Siskiyou county and wanted to pan for gold, so in 2019 Robin moved back to his “roots” to Siskiyou county.

Robin is preceded in death by his oldest son (Robin Ruel Jr.), his mother (Nona Ruel), his little sister (Kathy Short), and his best friend and dog (Little Buddy).

Robin is survived by his loving daughter (Rosie Nonneman), Son-in-Law (Eric Nonneman), Grandchildren ( Lindsey, Douglas, and Melodie Nonneman, Simone Ruel), Nephew (Brandon Facey) and his family, Niece (Sarah Warren) and her family, brothers (Mike Ruel, Devon Ruel), and Niece (Denise Brennan) and her family. Robin was a devoted father who loved his daughter with everything he had. He loved being a grandpa and just loved his family. Robin was such a caring man with the biggest heart. He was always willing to help out someone in need. Robin was the best friend anyone could have. He would be loyal and always have your back no matter what. He believed in being honest and respectful in everything he did. Robin will be missed greatly by everyone who knew him. He definitely was someone who you can’t easily forget. If you were lucky enough to have known him, you were blessed.

Celebration of Life will be held April 9th 2022 at the park in Etna, California. Anyone who knew Robin is welcome. Please bring good stories with you. Robin loved to share his stories, so now it is our turn. We will be having a barbeque and listening to good music. Just the way Robin would like it.