Charles Melvin Ruhland

Charles "Charlie" Melvin Ruhland, 81, passed away after a long battle with cancer on December 9, 2024, with his wife, Carolyn, by his side. At his request he was not surrounded by his family and friends. He always joked that everyone in the paper died surrounded by family and friends, so they were ordered not to gather around him. A private burial service with immediate family will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, IA. A celebration of life will be held at a later date for those who wish to attend.
Charlie was born to Amy and Melvin Ruhland on April 14, 1943, in St. Louis, MO. He had one brother, Terry (Judy) Ruhland and one sister, Carol Ruhland.
He met his wife Carolyn Ann Hudson at church long before they ever even thought about dating. While Charlie was on a break from college, after Carolyn graduated from high school, they took notice of each other and decided to go on a date. The rest is history. They were married on March 20, 1965 and lived in St. Charles, then Webster Groves. Both boys were born in St. Louis and the family moved to Kansas City where the family stayed until 1988. Charlie took a job in West Des Moines, IA, and stayed there until the boys moved out. They returned to Kansas City for several years and came back to Polk City to be closer to the grandkids.
Charlie graduated from Central Methodist College in 1966 with a Bachelor's Degree. He was drafted shortly afterwards and sent to Seoul, South Korea where he managed a hotel. He always felt a bit guilty about landing such a cushy job when his brothers-in-arms were in harm's way in Vietnam. Charlie was in the insurance industry his whole professional career. He worked for Travelers, BMA, Hawkeye National Life and Allstate. He was an Agent, Director of Brokerage and Vice President of Marketing. He was well known for his leadership, humor and service to his clients and coworkers.
Charlie coached Cub Scout baseball and chaperoned many campouts. One time he dressed up in a Genie outfit and participated in a Donkey Basketball fundraiser at the Highschool. He was a crowd favorite. He took the kids and grandkids fishing, boating and canoeing. He loved to hunt with the boys and his best friend Timothy Duff. He was adopted by Tim's family in Cainsville, MO, where he was Uncle Charlie to all their kids. He liked to go on the Broadway Barbershop canoe trips and fish with the guys. Charlie and Carolyn loved to go skiing in Breckenridge Colorado with the kids and their best friends Tim and Diana. They also enjoyed visits filled with hijinks with Jack and Jan Zink, who were lifelong friends and chosen family. He cheered on the grandkids in football, wrestling, volleyball, basketball, dance, theatre, show choir, cheerleading, band and softball. He loved to eat good food while having funny conversations with Carolyn and as many other family members who could make it. Somehow he always beat them to the check. He was no-nonsense in business dealings, but all nonsense everywhere else. He truly valued time with family and friends. You could always count on him to help in a pinch, either with his hands or great advice. Charlie was a hand-up not a hand-out kind of guy.
He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting and fishing with his sons and grandkids. Time in nature with the grandkids were some of his most precious memories. He also enjoyed each of his grandkids earning their title of "Little Wild Bear". He was a Member of Ankeny United Methodist Church and American Legion Post 232 in Polk City. He was well known for his sense of humor and his acute business savvy. He was the person to call for advice on anything financial.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; and sons, Michael Charles (Sonja) Ruhland and John David (Pam) Ruhland. He was blessed with seven grandchildren, Josiah (Billie) Ruhland, Max Ruhland, Tanner (Mallory) Ruhland, Charles Ruhland, Hattie Ruhland, Jocelyn Ruhland, Dominic Rodriguez; and one great-grandchild, Henrik "Hank" Charles Ruhland. He is also survived by his sister, Carol Ruhland; and brother, Terry (Judy) Ruhland. Uncle Charlie was a true fun-uncle to his nieces and nephews, Jim, Patricia, Brandi, Nikki, Chris and Lindsay. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Amy Ruhland.