William Hart Rufe III

The Honorable William Hart Rufe III
September 6, 1932 to January 14, 2025
The Honorable William Hart Rufe III, known affectionately to friends and family as Hart, passed away at the age of 92 in Ft. Pierce, FL, on January 14, 2025, due to natural causes. Born on September 6, 1932, in Sellersville, PA, to parents William Harold and Frances Appenzeller Rufe, Hart was the oldest of four children, including sister Elizabeth, and brothers John, and Robert. Hart led a life marked by dedication to his family, the law, the environment, and leadership. Judge Rufe was a life-long resident of Bucks County, PA.
In his youth, "Hart" Rufe was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, and he was awarded Eagle Scout honors in November 1948. He attended Sell-Perk High School, was President of The Student Council, and graduated in 1950. He then attended Mercersburg Academy, Chambersburg, PA for a year of post-grad education, graduating in 1951. He entered Lafayette College, Easton, PA later that year, and soon joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity (aka FIJI), and he remained an active alumni brother for many years after graduation. His sister, Liz, met and married his fraternity brother, Samuel M. Jackson. Hart enjoyed singing in the Lafayette College Choir, and the FIJI Four acapella ensemble. As a Lafayette student, Hart demonstrated a keen intellect and a passion for government and law, earning his Bachelor of Arts with honors from Lafayette College in 1955. His academic journey culminated with a JD degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1958, setting the stage for a distinguished legal career.
In 1962, Hart launched his own law firm in Sellersville, PA, where he practiced until 1972. His legal acumen and sense of justice then led him to serve for 27 years as a highly respected Judge at the Bucks County PA Court of Common Pleas, a position he held with distinction until his retirement in 1999. Judge Rufe was widely regarded as intelligent, fair, and balanced; revered by the judicial community and the Bucks County Bar Association. His younger brother, John, became a lawyer in 1965, and joined Hart in private practice as a partner in Rufe and Rufe, Attorneys at Law, then followed Hart's example to become a judge in 1989, also in Bucks County.
Beyond the courtroom, Hart's commitment to his community was unwavering. He served as the President of the Bucks County Audubon Society and the Honey Hollow Watershed Association. Hart's love for nature and his community was further evidenced by his long-standing chairmanship of the (Bucks County) Heritage Conservancy, from 1974 until 2010. His leadership extended to the Advisory Committee for the PA Wild Resources Conservation Fund and the Bucks County Open Spaces Fund Board, where he successfully championed preservation of Pennsylvania's natural beauty. In recognition of his tireless environmental efforts, Hart was honored with the WeConservePA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. The award celebrated his "remarkable life of service to the environment and for being an exemplary contributor to land conservation efforts in Pennsylvania."
On April 15, 2011 The Heritage Conservancy hosted a ceremony to honor Hart, where he received a Tribute for Lifetime Leadership from Chairman Cliff David, followed by citations from PA Governor Tom Corbett, United States Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick, The Senate of Pennsylvania, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was presented with a Flag of the United States of America, flown over the United States Capitol, in honor of "Thirty-six Years of Service to Conservancy and Conservation." The Bucks County Board of County Commissioners issued a Proclamation declaring April 15, 2011 as "Judge William Hart Rufe III - Heritage Conservancy Day." He was also presented with a ceramic tile of the Seal of Bucks County.
Hart's true passion and pastime was birding and bird photography. His passion is shared by his wife, Jewel, and his brother, Bob. All three are among elite birders in the United States. During his years as a judge, he led birding trips nation-wide, and was heavily involved with Bucks County Audubon Society and Delaware Valley Ornithological Club ("DVOC"), the oldest continuously operating birding organization in North America, est. 1890. Following his retirement, Hart continued to engage with his community and share his love for the natural world. From 2012 to 2023, he was a contributing columnist to the St. Lucie, FL Audubon Society. His monthly "Hart Beat" column features over 200 informative and captivating articles about birding, bird identification, habitat, and their beauty, complete with his own stunning photography.
Hart was also a deeply devoted life-long fan of The Philadelphia Eagles. He treasured their 2018 Superbowl victory, which was capped with an unforgettable opportunity to wear a championship ring.
Hart's legacy is lovingly cherished by his family, including his devoted wife, Jewel Void Rufe. Other surviving family members include; his brother, Robert Grim Rufe (wife Mimi Lind Rufe); his sons, William Hart Rufe IV (wife Jennifer Lacek Rufe), James Friesell Rufe (wife Elizabeth Bright Rufe), his daughters, Ivy Rufe O'Neill (husband Michael O'Neill), and Diane Rufe Hosaisy. Each of them benefitted from his loving, generous, and selfless nature, qualities that he extended to all aspects of his life. His family legacy includes nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Those who knew Hart will remember him for his unwavering integrity, sharp wit, and the warmth he brought into every room. His contributions to the legal field, his local community, and environmental preservation have left an indelible mark that will be remembered for generations to come. He inspired good work ethic with a strong spirit of encouragement, and his famous tagline, "You're making headway!" was especially dear to his children and grandchildren.
Hart's departure is a profound loss to all who were fortunate enough to know him, yet his spirit and the lessons he imparted will continue to inspire. As a man who lived a full and meaningful life, Hart Rufe's memory will be treasured not only by his family but by the countless lives he touched through his work, his friendliness, and his philanthropy.
The Rufe family will have a private burial service, to be followed by a celebration of life memorial event at Aldie Mansion, home of the Heritage Conservancy in Doylestown, PA. Date and invitations to be announced.
At the request of Hart and Jewel Rufe, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable contribution to the following funds, which are:
• William Hart Rufe III Legacy Fund,
o Payable to: The Heritage Conservancy (memo: WHR III Legacy Fund)
o Address To: 85 Old Dublin Pike, Doylestown, PA 18901, (215)-345-7020.
• DVOC Interns Fund, created by Hart & Jewel Rufe
o Payable to: Delaware Valley Ornithological Club Interns Fund,
o Address to: Martin Dellwo, Treasurer, 214 South 23rd St. Philadelphia, PA 19103-5506.