Russell Ruhlen's Obituary
Russell RuhlenRussell Ruhlen was born November 19, 1942, in Providence, RI, third child of Harold and Deborah Ruhlen. In 1945 the family moved to Oak Ridge, TN, and then in 1953 to Anchorage, Alaska Territory. Russ graduated from Anchorage High School in 1960 and attended Alaska Methodist University, Whittier College, and San Francisco State University.He was living at home when our father died (1965), then went to California to college, returning to Alaska when our mother died in 1967. After settling the estate, he moved to San Mateo, and worked at Caltrans as a civil engineer for 38 years until his retirement in 2005. He helped design and build many roads and bridges in the Bay area, including the J. Arthur Younger (San Mateo) bridge. Russ was an independent individual, with many diverse interests including stereo photography, native American rock art, and archeology, (he visited numerous North American pre-Columbian sites). He was a computer whiz; a devotee and promoter of the Dvorak keyboard which he taught; family genealogy; world geography; opera; blue grass music; marksmanship; Corvair cars which he worked on (blessed with the Ruhlen “wrench” instinct); and American and world history. He was an active member of Mensa, stereo photography groups and the NRA, and a Friend of the San Mateo Unitarian Universalist Church, where he participated in the Great Decisions group. He volunteered as a County poll worker and trainer, and at the San Mateo library, training patrons on computer use. He won awards for engineering , stereo photography, and civic activities. He was a dear, loving brother, a caring and considerate friend, passionate and strong in his beliefs, a diligent worker, and a friend of the earth and all beings thereon. His spirit is and will be with us in our hearts, our memories, and in the structures he built.Russ contracted Hepatitis C in the 1970’s and battled it the rest of his life. It forced his retirement so he could unsuccessfully seek a liver transplant. Despite the liver damage, he attended his June, 2010 50th High School Reunion. He fought valiantly, never giving up, until his death on 2/9/2011. In August 2010, he moved into Heritage Shores assisted living, his final residenceHe is survived by his brother Ray Ruhlen (Sharron), his sister Frances McConnel ( John Peavoy), uncle Maurice Ruhlen (Florence), nephew Zed Ruhlen (Miko), nieces Naomi Ruhlen(Sai), Crystal Culp(David ) and Margo Hadfield (Joe), and numerous cousins. He was laid to rest at a private service in the Mountain View section of Skylawn Memorial Park (www.skylawn.com) . A memorial service for Russell is scheduled for March 19, 2011 at the San Mateo Unitarian Universalist church (www.uusanmateo.org) starting at 1 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the San Mateo Unitarian/Universalist Church, the Peninsula Open Space Trust, the Archaeological Conservancy, or the Sierra Club, or the non-profit of your choice.
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