George August Ruhe

It pleased Almighty God to suddenly call home his servant, George August Ruhe on Saturday afternoon, June 12th, 2021. He was vibrant and alive till the moment he was not. George was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on November 29, 1925. He was the son of the late August and Helene (Dempewolf) Ruhe. He is survived by Helga (Zander) Ruhe, his wife of 73 years who he met in Germany after VE Day and who he married in 1948; his daughter, Barbara J. Ruhe, his son, Jonathan W. A. Ruhe, his grandson, Christopher Sokolowski and his wife, Jacksany , his granddaughter, Andrea Sokolowski and his two beloved great-grandsons, Bear and David and various nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He leaves a variety of cousins of varying degrees that he kept in touch with in Germany. He was predeceased by all his brothers and sisters, his son, George-Edward Ruhe and his son-in-law, Kenneth E. Sokolowski, George was educated in the Jersey City schools and graduated from Dickinson High School Class of 1943. He was drafted into the Army in early 1944 and served in Germany and France in the 65th Infantry Division which was part of George Patton's 3rd Army. After VE day he was assigned to serve as an investigator and Interpreter in a military intelligence unit in Bavaria, due primarily to his fluency in German which was the language he spoke growing up. His decorations included a Bronze star, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantry Badge as well as a variety of other commendations. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army George completed his education with the assistance of the G.I. Bill at the Newark College of Engineering having earned a B.S. In Mechanical Engineering in 1949. George and his family moved to Wethersfield in 1962. He was active and outspoken on many local political issues and served on a variety of boards and commissions. He was famously known for attending Town Council and Board of Education meetings and speaking his mind. He also volunteered for a number of humanitarian causes, including helping settle several refugee families from Myanmar and Laos. Having worked in a variety of manufacturing related positions he went to work at The Travelers where he was a manager of Industrial Engineering. He retired from the Travelers in 1990.His funeral service will held June 26, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 1655 Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 06107-2502. George will be interred in the family plot at the Village Cemetery in Old Wethersfield, Connecticut immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Corpus Christi School, 581 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT. 06109 or the August and Helene Ruhe Scholarship Fund, Valparaiso University, Office of Advancement, 1100 Campus Drive South, Valparaiso, IN 46383. For condolences and directions please visit: maplehillchapels-talarskifuneralhome.com