Raymond Ruffin

RUFFIN, Raymond S., 97, of Henrico County, formerly of Hanover County, passed away on Saturday, April 10, 2010. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Clara Flowers Ruffin. He is survived by two daughters, Carolyn R. Jeter and Ray Lynn Newcomb, both of Henrico County; three grandchildren, Michelle J. Lodato and husband, Matthew, of Herndon, Va., Scott A. Newcomb of Richmond, Va., and Kenneth M. Jeter Jr. of Midlothian, Va.; one great-granddaughter, Savannah C. Jeter of Sterling, Va. All his life, Mr. Ruffin loved designing and building things, and got to experience the thrill of being part of the early days of radio, refrigeration, television and eventually laser technology. As a young boy, he built one-tube radios for family and neighbors, and eventually worked for WMBG in Richmond. He then helped build and operate the equipment for WTVR-6 in the early years of television in Richmond. From 1950 to 1975, he held a faculty appointment in the Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, designing and building instruments for medical research. While employed at MCV/VCU, he was involved in design and development of early lasers used in the treatment of Eye Disease. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey, and Detroit, Michigan. The family will receive friends 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Bliley's - Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Rd., where a funeral service will be held 12 noon Thursday. Interment Greenwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ginter Park Baptist Church or to a charity of your choice.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.