Richard "Dick" Karl Ruch II

RETIRED US WEST, AGE 78

Dick passed away to join his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, October 8, 2012.

He was born July 8, 1934 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to Richard Karl and Kathryn Rebecca. Dick and his parents moved to Englewood, Colorado from Youngstown, Ohio in 1945. He attended Englewood High School and was active in baseball, basketball, football and track. In his senior year of high school, Dick was awarded the Colorado High School State Champion shot putter, 1952. He was also DeMolay chapter Master Counselor and Chevalier during this year.

Upon graduation from high school, Dick began a 40-year career with Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company, Mountain Bell, and finally US West/Qwest in Englewood, Denver, Broomfield, and Boulder; retiring in April, 1992 in Denver.

After working 18 months with Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company, he faithfully served 3 years (January 1954 – January 1957) in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was in the telephone section of Regimental Headquarters Co., 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Nine months of his service was spent in Korea (July 1954 to March 1955).

On December 18, 1955, Dick married his high school sweetheart, Joan Louise Lockner at Trinity Methodist Church, Denver. The couple relocated to Vista, California, while Dick completed his service to the Marine Corps. They moved back to Englewood in 1957, then to Broomfield to raise their family in 1966, where they became members of Broomfield United Methodist Church.

Dick is survived by is wife of 56 years, Joan of Broomfield, his son, Richard Karl “Rick” III (Jolon), and daughter Jody, of Westminster; grandsons Ryan (Laura) of Thornton; Chad of Cologne, Germany; and great granddaughter, Raegan Elizabeth.

He was a generous, caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, steadfast and true in his daily walk with God.

Visitation on Friday, October 12, 2012, 5:00-8:00 pm, Services on Saturday, October 13, 2012, 12:00 pm at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, 7777 W. 29th Avenue (and Wadsworth Blvd.), Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, 303-233-4611, www.crownhillfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Broomfield Veterans Memorial Museum, 12 Garden Center, Broomfield, CO, 80020, 303-460-6801, www.broomfieldveterans.org.