Dr. John R. Ruby

Died April 18, 2018, in Mandeville, LA. At the home of his son and daughter in law, Matthew and Wendy Ruby. He was a resident of Metairie, LA for over 50 years.

He was educated at Elida High School, Elida, OH. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Baldwin-Wallace College, now known as Baldwin-Wallace University, Master’s degree from St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, and Ph.D. in Anatomy from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA;

Dr. Ruby spent his entire career at the LSU Dental and Medical Schools as Assistant Professor, Professor, Dean of Faculty Affairs, Dean of Admissions, and the Department Head of Pharmacology. He retired in 2000 as Vice Chancellor of Institutional Services after 32 years of dedicated service. Dr. Ruby was a published author and researcher in the field of pancreatic cancer, and conducted pioneering research on Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy). Dr. Ruby was instrumental in bringing the first Electron Microscope to LSU in the late 1960’s, which, at the time, became the only research facility in the Southeast US to have such an instrument.

Dr. Ruby was an avid golfer, loved LSU, and was a New Orleans Saints season ticket holder for nearly 20 years. He loved to travel with his wife, Soni, and felt fortunate to have visited many countries around the globe with her. He was instrumental in the development of Lafreniere Park as a volunteer Board Member for several decades. He was incredibly proud of the development of Lafreniere Park, and what it has become. He loved his family, and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

He was an Elder at Parkway Presbyterian Church, Metairie, LA; former member and President of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Baldwin-Wallace Chapter; member of the Krewe of Endymion; former President and longtime member of Lafreniere Park Advisory Board, Metairie, LA.

He is preceded in death by his parents Robert William Ruby and Louise Ruby, and great granddaughter Hinsley Rose Ruby. He is survived by his spouse, Sondra Mahon Ruby; daughter Diana Ruby Sanderson (Bill), of Asheville, NC; sons Douglas W. Ruby (Ysonde) of Mandeville, LA and Matthew D. Ruby (Wendy) of Mandeville, LA; sisters Caroline Kistler of Van Wert, OH and Judy Nance, Elida, OH; and five grandchildren Connell and Patrick Sanderson; Olivia, Jacob, and Noah Ruby.

The Reverend Tom Paine, Parkway Presbyterian Church, will preside over the Witness to the Resurrection at the Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home Chapel, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. at 10am, Monday, May 21st. Inurnment at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum immediately following the service.

A reception will be held at the Lafreniere Park Foundation Center, Bob Deviney Building, Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd, Metairie, LA. 12:00pm.

In Lieu of flowers, donations are asked in his name to Patrons of Lafreniere Park and Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana (PCAL.org).