John Rueb

1945 - 2025

John Justin Rueb was born on May 19th, 1945 and left this world on October 29th, 2025. He was born in Dodge City, Kansas, to Justin (Sam) Rueb and Evangeline (Schawe) Rueb. He grew up in eastern Colorado on the family farm near the small town of Vona, attending St. Charles Academy grade school and Stratton High School, where he was student body president his senior year. John was the oldest of eight children - seven boys and one girl - in a close, loving family who all took their father's short and to the point advice to "Be good. Work hard."

When it came time for college, John returned to Dodge City, Kansas, and attained a degree at St. Mary Of The Plains College, majoring in government and history. While there he lived with his Grandfather, also named John Rueb, and was the president of the Day Student Organization at St. Mary's. While attending college he worked two part time jobs, one at a local feedlot and the other at Warshaw's mens store. After graduation in 1967, John married his high school sweetheart Arlene Weingardt and started a new chapter in his life. They spent fifty-eight years together and had two wonderful children to share their life - John Justin Jr. (Jay) and Alaina.

After college John taught school for two years at Andale High School in Andale, Kansas. Besides teaching world history, constitution, and psychology, he was a guidance counselor and the senior class sponsor. After Arlene finished her degree at Wichita State University, they made a change, moved to Colorado, and were introduced to the cattle hide industry.

John spent over fifty years as managing partner of Southwest Hide Co., a job he enjoyed that took him to many parts of the world, and introduced him to many wonderful people who shaped his life. He truly cared about every employee and wished the best for them. While at Southwest Hide, John was on the board of directors for the National Hide Skin And Leather Org. for six years, served as the national chairman for four terms and was elected to the Hide Hall of Fame in 2008. In 1985 Southwest Hide received a Presidential E award for excellence in export service. John was proud of the fact that so many worked for so long for the company, often celebrating employee anniversaries of twenty-five, thirty, forty or more years.

When in need of leisure time, John enjoyed time spent at his Cascade condo. The grandchildren were always ready to go along and that was very special time spent. Also snowbirding in Palm Desert, California, brought fun in a neighborhood with many of our Idaho friends. One of John and Arlene's favorite things was travel. They were fortunate to visit all seven continents and all fifty states. When asked for his favorite destination besides home, his answer was always Antarctica. He was taken with the beauty and tranquility.

John was predeceased by his dear son John Jr., his parents Justin and Evangeline Rueb, his sister Elaine, brothers Pat and Stan, his father and mother-in-law Joe and Irene Weingardt, and brother-in-laws Keith Weingardt, Doyle Weingardt, Mike Kachulis, and Jim Regan. He is survived by Arlene, daughter Alaina (Kelly), daughter-in-law Jeanine Rueb, four dearly loved grandchildren Justin Rueb, Jeremy Rueb, Sam Robertson, and Abby Robertson, brothers Bill (Paula), Mark (Kathy), Robert (Denice), and Justin (Barbara), sister-in-laws Connie Allen (Rick), Marianne Kachulis, Mary Pat Weingardt, Barbara Weingardt, and Rita (Mark) Martinez, and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

John requested no formal service. Instead he suggested spending time with our families and sometime in the future have a party and celebrate life. His was a life well lived.

A memorial has been established in John's name at Dynamic Dimensions, Box 145, Burlington, Colorado 80807.