George E. Ruhe

1951 - 2018

George Edward Ruhe was called home to Almighty God on Sunday October 21, 2018 in a boating mishap on Lake Champlain, Vermont.

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey on June 29, 1951 and was the oldest son of George A. and Helga M. Ruhe. In addition to his parents he is survived by his sister, Barbara J. Ruhe, his brother Jonathan W.A. Ruhe; his nephew Christopher and his wife Jacksany; his niece, Andrea; his two great nephews, Bear and David; his uncle, Siegfried Dahms, cousins of many degrees both here and in Germany and a vast community of friends.

George was baptized in 1951 at the First Lutheran Church in Kearny, N.J.

George-Edward, which is the name by which his family called him, lived in Metuchen, N.J. until 1962 when his family moved to Wethersfield, CT. He graduated from Wethersfield High School, Class of 1969. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in English And Theology in 1974 from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. His life was tied to Wethersfield, but in recent years he spent significant time in Brattleboro,VT.

George followed his older sister to Valparaiso University, a decision he sometimes questioned, but it was at Valpo he took up photography with a serious intent. it was also a community where he made many dear friends.

George was extraordinarily gifted photographer and freelanced for many years, primarily for the New York Times but also for the Hartford Courant. He had a wide variety corporate/industrial and editorial clients and worked with a number of well known non-profit organizations , filling their photographic needs. He started his non-profit involvements shortly after finishing college, at the Compass Center, (a shelter for homeless men), in Seattle WA; Kurn Hattin in Westminster VT, (Homes for Children), and most recently at the "In-Sight Photography Project " in Brattleboro.

George, was in many ways a free spirit. He traveled world wide, spending a summer in Hong Kong teaching English at an American School. He visited England, Germany, Poland, Greece and Switzerland. In Switzerland he photographically documented the Swiss approach, to their then severe heroin problem. His jobs and photography skills also took him all over the U. S., including Alaska. He also read and owned MANY books. He was a long time member of The American Society of Media Photographers ( ASMP ). In Brattleboro he was an active member of the Elks, serving on their Board of Directors for some time.

He had a dry wit, was a dyed in the wool Yankee's fan, and was known to engage in intense political discussions particularly addressing the current political climate. He had a commitment as a photo journalist to documenting injustices.

Burial will be private at the convenience of his family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 AM, December 1, 2018 at Bethany Lutheran Church; 1655 Boulevard. West Hartford CT. 06107.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: Corpus Christi School, 581 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield CT. 06109 or to the "In-Sight Photography Project" Ms Victoria Heisler - Exec. Dir. ; 45 Flat Street ; Brattleboro VT. 05301. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.maplehillchapels-talarskifuneralhome.com