Egon Anton Ruffing

1932 - 2025

Egon Anton Ruffing

May 21, 1932 - Jan 14, 2025

Egon Anton Ruffing, age 92, longtime Crown Point, Indiana resident, passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist. --St. Francis of Assisi

Egon was a "builder" who worked early on with his hands as a laborer, then later as a craftsman, and ultimately became an artist. Building was his life in many ways. His foundation was set in his homeland of West Germany where he experience the horrors of WW II throughout his formative years. He met the love of his life there and left to build a better life for her in America, promising to return in 4 years to marry. He met Rosemarie when they were training for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and qualified in Track and Field. Later arriving in the U.S. he could not speak English and did every job he could, setting bowling pins, delivering eggs, theater projectionist, where he did not have to speak much. It was challenging being German after the war, but Egon kept building up his skills, taking on a job as a cement finisher, then bricklayer by day, and delivering furniture after a full day of laying block. He sent whatever he earned to his family and relatives to support them in their bombed-out life. He learned the language, gained citizenship, and became a mason. He returned home to marry Rosemarie in 1953. He then decided to build a better life for them, by emigrating to the U.S. His foundation was made again, a very strong one, a home in America with his wife and later, their five children.

He mastered his craft of being a mason over the years and construction was in his hands, head, and heart. He worked as a bricklayer by day, concrete work by night, in all kinds of weather. He built countless homes, condos, apartment buildings, schools, and commercial jobs. His company Ruffing Construction, started in 1956, specialized in custom-made homes where every detail had to be perfect, performing the physical labor himself to the highest standards, from planning to the final structure. Custom stonework and marble was showcased in his work, especially his fireplaces. An artist at work. He worked many times with his brother Horst who also emigrated to America, and became a master woodworker and carpenter. He completed over 100 masonry jobs a year, including fireplaces and restoration. Egon helped many families build and realize their dreams, just like he had done for his own. He built 6 homes for his family. The children learned the meaning of hard work by example, from their parents, who were married for 68 loving years. They worked together to see to it that the children received a college education and gave them what they never had growing up during the war.

Egon started building his legacy, mentoring his son-in-law, David, resulting in building his own company and training many laborers and masons over the years. And, he in turn, taught his younger brother, and he mentored his son, both starting their own companies. Later, Egon passed his company onto his longtime head mason, creating another legacy. Egon also shared his skills by working with Crown Point High School to instruct students on how to build a house.

There were many adventures along the way. He rebuilt up his athletic strength and became the 1985 National Champion in the 5K Masters Event, while he was a contractor, and after 50 years old. Training by running down Broadway in Crown Point, known as the Nine Mile Stretch, even in blizzard conditions, training 35 miles per week. He became a member of the Kiwanis for 13 years and was voted in as President, and worked on building a better community. For all his community work in Indiana he was voted as Hoosier of Year. He retired at 70 years old, but not really. There was more to do. By becoming President of his home owner's association he helped his community with their technical challenges and beautified the subdivision grounds by planting many trees with Rosemarie for their dear neighbors. He also assisted Rosemarie in her dream of creating a large and fruitful community garden at their parish, providing fresh produce for many underserved residents of Cedar Lake.

Egon, Rosemarie, and family prayed many years at the Our Lady of Lourdes Friary Chapel in Cedar Lake, where they felt very much at home with the Franciscan Friars (their founder being St. Francis of Assisi) and worshipers. They were longtime devoted parishioners of Holy Name Catholic Church in Cedar Lake, their Spiritual home.

Throughout it all, Christ and family remained his constant cornerstone. The builder is now home, in his heavenly home.

Egon is survived by his five loving children, Christine (Paul) Forsythe, Claudia (David) Ruffing Motta, Lisa (Dennis) Sonntag, Robert Ruffing, Richard Ruffing; brother, Horst Ruffing; and sisters, Ursel (Michele) Cerlier of France, and Beata Eberding, MD, of Germany; grandson, Ryan Sonntag; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, and pet companion, Heidi. Preceded in death by dear loving wife, Rosemarie (nee Wadle); parents, Oswald and Rosa Ruffing; and sister, Gertrude Ruffing.

Friends may visit with the family Sunday, January 19, 2025, at Geisen Funeral Home, 606 E. 113th Ave., Crown Point, IN 46307, from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Holy Name Catholic Church, 11000 W. 133rd Ave., Cedar Lake, IN 46307, with Fr. Patrick Gawrylewski, OFM, Pastor, officiating. Interment to follow at Holy Name Cemetery in Cedar Lake, IN.

In lieu of flowers, donations may please be given in Egon's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Please visit the online guestbook to share condolences and memories at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com and www.legacy.com