1/15/1945 - 11/10/2023
David Paul Ruhl, age 78, passed away on November 10, 2023 after a brief illness.
Born on January 15, 1945 in Portland, Oregon to William and Helen Ruhl, he later lived
with his family in Oakland, Petaluma and Angels Camp, California. He graduated from
Bret Harte High School, Angels Camp in 1962 and shortly after relocated to the Boston
area where his sister, Marian, was active in the music scene. While there he worked as a
craftsman for the Charles Fisk Organ Company in Gloucester, MA and graduated from
the North Bennet Street School in Boston as a piano technician. For many years he was
active in that profession in the area.
Wanting to be closer to his parents and relatives, David moved to St. Louis, MO in 1979.
While there he attended the St. Louis Technical School to study drafting and received his
diploma in 1981. In 2005 he returned to California to join his sister and brother in law in
Auburn and remained here, enjoying the “small town” life.
David was a self taught musician of great talent. He played recorder and wrote music for
his instrument (27 recorder sonatas), as well as for piano and organ. Some of his organ
pieces were published by Wayne Leupold in the Organist’s Companion. He wrote
hundreds of poems and limericks, sending them off to friends and family.
In spite of having numerous setbacks with mental illness, all who knew him will
remember him as a gentle, caring soul with a witty sense of humor and great intelligence.
He is survived by his sister, Marian Ruhl Metson, and his nephew, William Metson. A
private memorial will be held for friends and family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17