Eugene A. Ruh

1923 - 2017

Eugene A. Ruh

New Holstein - Eugene Arthur Ruh died December 24th, 2017, just shy of his 95th birthday, in the comfort of the home he built and loved.

Eugene was the second of 13 children born to Arthur and Irene (Retlich) Ruh on January 19, 1923 in Kiel, WI. He graduated from New Holstein High School in 1941 and attended UW-Madison before being drafted. He entered the service in 1943 and tested into the US Army Air Corp. After basic training he attended airplane mechanics and gunnery school. His assignment was with the 801st/492nd bombardment group as the top turret gunner and flight engineer on a B-24 Liberator bomber. He held the rank of technical sergeant.

Eugene often recounted his war time experiences with friends and family. Eugene's bombardment unit was part of the clandestine group of more than 5000 enlisted men and officers referred to by the secret code name "Carpetbaggers". He flew over 50 dangerous, low altitude, night missions in which his crew dropped supplies and agents (spies) to underground resistance groups.

In 1998 Eugene was contacted by a man named Rene Defourneaux. Defourneaux was a french spy that remembered him from a mission where Eugene's crew dropped him behind enemy lines. He was writing a book about his life as a spy and wanted to include Eugene and his crew. Eugene was discharged in 1945. He received both the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement and heroism while participating in aerial flights during WII.

After the war, Eugene moved back to the New Holstein area and began learning the masonry trade. He became a very skilled craftsman and worked on many homes, schools, businesses and all of the churches in New Holstein. He thought that he should have an "in" with GOD after all that holy work.

Eugene met Dorothy Escher (Ruh) while walking past the theater. Dorothy worked in the ticket booth. They married in 1953 and moved into the house they built together. They had three children: Christine Ruh, Charles (Elizabeth) Ruh and Anne Ruh and one Grandchild, Owen Ruh who was the love of their life.

Eugene filled his life with work, Skat, and a great love of gardening. Eugene and Dorothy's garden was featured in the magazine,"Birds and Blooms". He was also an active member of the New Holstein Historical Society, the New Holstein American Legion and a member of the BAC Union. He also enjoyed feeding the birds and continued to split field stones into his eighties. He was an inspiration in the way he continued to push himself even with his arthritic knees and joints. The only time he lay in bed was the last week of his life after a bout of pneumonia. His kitty Gracie loved to sit in his lap and keep him company.

Eugene is survived by his children, grandchild and three sisters, Audry O'donnell, LoAnn Ruh, and Ione Gregorie; brothers Kenneth (Charlotte) Ruh and Lloyd Ruh; also many in-laws, nephews and nieces and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents his wife Dorothy, brothers Victor, Arthur, Elwood, Jim and Bobby: sisters Elda and Fayth.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 30, 2017, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1724 Madison Street, New Holstein, WI 53061. Eugene will be laid to rest next to his wife, Dorothy, in the Holy Rosary Cemetery.

Visitation: Family and friends may greet the family at Holy Rosary Catholic Church Saturday morning from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM.

For additional information, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.

"Thank you to the Calumet county home health nursing and hospice staff for their excellent care. Also a giant thank you to Bonnie Rabe and Katie Schmitz who helped keep him company even when he thought he was O.K. staying alone".

In lieu of flowers, please direct monetary memorials to the family for our Mother and Father's church. The church needs money for repairs and Eugene is not around to do the job anymore.

"Off he goes into the wild blue yonder!"