John Bruce Ruppenthal M.D.

John Bruce Ruppenthal, M.D., of Clarks Summit, husband, physician, father, brother, grandfather, colleague and friend, died June 7, 2018, on his 49th wedding anniversary at his beloved Moses Taylor Hospital. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Bruce was born in Germantown, Pa., on Dec. 6, 1942, to Carl and Elizabeth Weir Ruppenthal. He was known as "Bruce" to his friends and family. He graduated from Springfield Twp. Montgomery High School, where he ran track.

Bruce Ruppenthal earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Haverford College, where he played cricket. From there, he went on to the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. While earning his degree there, he was part of a singing group known as "The Good Time Charlies," that sang medical parodies of songs. Also at Penn, he met his future wife, Letty Wetherill, a nursing student from Peckville, Pa. They married in June of 1969 at St. James Episcopal Church in Jermyn. He did his internship and residency at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa.

In 1973, Bruce began his service in the United States Navy as a physician, with the rank of lieutenant commander. He was stationed at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., from 1973-1976.

After the Navy, Bruce relocated his family to wife Letty's hometown region of Northeast Pennsylvania. His internal medicine practice began at Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton in 1976 and lasted until retiring in 2015. At Moses Taylor, he was recognized as a leader and mentor by his colleagues. He served as president of the medical staff there in 2000 and 2001. He loved working with his patients, and often treated multiple generations of patient families. His wife, Letty, a registered nurse, worked with him in his office from 1990-2002. He was known by both colleagues and patients for his signature office attire of bow ties (which don't get in the way of exams), which later gave way to Hawaiian shirts. Bruce's strong love and interest in Native American culture was also reflected in the silver and turquoise jewelry that was also a part of his sartorial style.

In addition to his decades of work as a physician, Bruce Ruppenthal also served local organizations, including the Lackawanna County chapter of the American Cancer Society, the Abington Heights Band Boosters, the Jewish Home of Eastern Pennsylvania and Abington Manor.

Despite the long hours of medicine, Bruce found time to enjoy his hobbies. Gardening and skiing were two of his favorites, and he met friends for years in a weekly racquetball league. He strongly supported his children's interests, and could typically be found scouting the best angles to view the marching band, chorus, piano, violin, soccer, field hockey and school activities of his three children and grandchildren. Travel and family vacations were also big priorities for him, especially when he could plan the sightseeing and side trips nearby. Spending time at a lake or seashore house surrounded by family was one of his favorite pastimes. Bird-watching and nature were also strong interests he enjoyed and supported.

An avid fan of Philadelphia sports, Bruce was pleased to see his Philadelphia Eagles finally win a Super Bowl in 2018. He also was an avid dog lover, providing a home to Shetland Sheepdog and Golden Retriever breeds at his home in Clarks Summit.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Carl Robert Ruppenthal, of Charlotte, N.C. In addition to his wife Letty, he is survived by his sister, Sandra Derr, of Willow Grove, Pa.; sister-in-law, Carolyn Ruppenthal, of Charlotte; as well as his sons, Kevin and wife, Christy Johnson, of Silver Spring, Md.; James and wife, Stacie Grassano Ruppenthal, of Melbourne, Australia; and daughter, Melissa Ruppenthal Kozik and husband, Jeff, of Moscow, Pa. He is also survived by three loving grandchildren, Nate Kozik, Annie Kozik and Hazel May Ruppenthal.

The family wishes to extend its gratitude to the entire team at Moses Taylor Hospital, especially his colleagues who worked with and for him: Dr. John Diakiw, Dr. Karen Paczkowski, Dr. Henry Yeager and Dr. James Sheerer.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bruce Ruppenthal's name to The Nature Conservancy at nature.org.

Announcement of a memorial service that is being planned for later this summer will appear in the newspaper and on the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home website.