Ernest A. Rueter
1926 - 2013 BRATTLEBORO, VT Ernest Rueter, 86, died in Brattleboro on Thursday, January 31, 2013 with his family close by.
Born July 8, 1926, in Seattle, he was the fourth of five children of William and Kathleen Gorham Rueter. He graduated from Roosevelt HS and served in the Army Air Corps in World War II. He graduated from Carleton College and was president of the National Council of the Pilgrim Fellowship, 1950-1952. While attending Eden Seminary in St. Louis, he met Jeanne C. Duemler; they were married June 8, 1952.
His first church was in Nashua, IA, 1952-1957, and his second Evansville, IN, 1957-1959. As a campus minister at Purdue University, 1959-1966, he took students to the 1963 March on Washington. He organized ministers in seven counties to support the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 & 1965 and earned a Masters of Sociology. Beginning 1966, he worked in Gary, IN for the Human Relations Commission focusing on moving African-Americans and Hispanics into skilled trades at US Steel. He had many jobs, including insurance sales, fundraising for a PBS station, and teaching sociology at area colleges.
Ernest's passions were in developing leadership in volunteer organizations, late 19th century US history, and theology. He served on the board of the Northwest Indiana Symphony with a term as president. In Gary Rotary, he founded the district World Affairs Conference for 40 high schools.
Beginning 1967, he researched late 19th century politics. Starting with his great-grandfather, William C. Gorham, he focused on the Erie Canal, its supporters, monopolies and challenging views of historians. He published ALL THE WAY TO MOBILE in 2012.
The Rueters moved to Brattleboro in 2002. At Centre Congregational Church, he worked on the farm/food justice program, led study sessions and was affectionately known for his dry wit and perseverance.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanne, who supported him devotedly for 60 years; by son Allen, daughter-in-law Catherine Koziol, granddaughter Adelaide, St. Louis; daughter Rebecca and granddaughter Emma, and son Robert, daughter-in-law Joanna, Brattleboro; and granddaughter Jennifer Atlee, partner Marko Packard and great-granddaughter Iris, Montague, MA; and two sisters, Kathleen New, Vancouver, WA, and Carol Basse, The Dalles, OR.
Two brothers, William and John, predeceased him.
MEMORIAL NOTICE: A memorial service will be held on Tues., Feb. 12, 2013, 10:30 am at Centre Congregational Church, Brattleboro. Donations may be made to Centre Congregational Church or the Centre for Children, Brattleboro, Vermont.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Dear Jeanne,
I was deeply saddened to hear of Earnie's passing. As a neighbor, I loved his wit and sense of humor and our little chats when he made his strolls around the neighborhood.
My thoughts are with you and your family as you move through this time.
Susan S & Daisy
March 31, 2013
Dear Jean and family,
We are thinking of you at this time and offer our condolences. Ernest was a wonderful man. We will miss him.
Love to you,
Leo and Mary Laitres
Mary Laitres
February 9, 2013
I always looked forward to seeing Ernie at the BMH Rehab exercise group, his dry wit, the twinkle in his eyes in that serious face. He was a lovely man and I will miss him a great deal. I am sure he was an inspiration to those whose lives were touched by his.
Susan Kryger
February 6, 2013
I too knew Ernie through the BMH Rehab program. We shared many views and I very much enjoyed my friendship with him. My deepest condolences to his beloved wife and family.
Helen Gammon
February 5, 2013
I knew Ernie from Brattleboro Memorial Hospitals Cardiac Pulmonary Rehab maintenance group. Loved his wit and have missed him over the past weeks. My love and prayers to his family
Anne Shea
February 5, 2013
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