Richard Hans Ruhl

February 26, 1931 – April 6, 2022

Richard (Dick) Hans Ruhl of Manchester, N.J., passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 6, 2022 at age 91 at his new home in The Villas in Manalapan.

He was born February 26, 1931 in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Erich and Sophie Ruhl. Dick married the love of his life, Lois Schott, on October 6, 1957. Eventually, they settled in Massapequa, Long Island, N.Y., where they raised their son and daughter, Glenn and Kim. Dick’s devotion and pride in his children later expanded to his grandchildren, Dylan and Dawson, and he and Lois enjoyed yearly month-long visits to their Midwestern home as they were growing up. Dick was happiest surrounded by nature and was especially drawn to the beach, where he and his family spent many memorable hours throughout the years.

Dick knew he wanted to be an artist from the age of 8, when he first dreamed of becoming a Saturday Evening Post illustrator. He was a graduate of the School of Industrial Art in Manhattan, and also attended advertising, art and photo retouching classes at Pratt Institute and the School of Visual Arts. He worked as a photo retoucher for various publications and advertising agencies before branching out on his own. For 25 years, he operated under Dick Ruhl Retouching, working on accounts from Nissan and Seagrams to fashion for GQ Magazine. His crowning professional achievement was being the recipient of a Clio Award—one of the most prestigious awards in advertising—for photo retouching as part of a WHN Radio campaign.

Dick had many side hobbies, including photography and watercolor/oil painting. He entered numerous art shows and was recognized with several photography awards. But his biggest passion—outside of his family—was his fascination with UFOs and his quest to learn as much as he could about this mystery. He met many strangers and made many friends through his UFO investigations as well as radio and TV co-hosting gigs examining this phenomenon.

Dick will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his gift of gab and his love of a good joke. His family will be forever grateful for the compassionate care he received from the staff at The Villas as well as Angelic Hospice during these last few months.

Survivors include his children, Glenn Ruhl (Lea DiPentima) of New Fairfield, CT, and Kim (Dave) Dearth of Mauston, WI; grandchildren Dylan and Dawson Dearth; brother and sister in-law Erich and Hilda Ruhl; nieces Susan (Bruce) Shafer and Wendy (Jay) Murray; great-niece Stephanie Russo; great-nephew Nicholas Russo; and many friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lois; parents Erich and Sophie Ruhl; father-in-law and mother-in-law Robert and Anna Schott; and sister-in-law Bernice.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 14 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. At Horizon Funeral and Cremation Services, 1329 Route 37 West, Toms River, N.J.

Interment will be Friday, April 15 at 12:00pm at Pinelawn Memorial Park, 2030 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, Long Island.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dick's memory to the American Heart Association www.heart.org