James Ruder Obituary

James Calhoun Ruder, better known in Ivywild as "the German Shepherd Guy", passed away very suddenly on Wed, Nov. 10th, 2011. He was 82 years old. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him well, and slightly missed by hundreds of people who barely knew him at all. For more than 37 years, Mr. Ruder walked a German Shepherd or two around the streets of Ivywild. During that time he chatted with neighbors, observed problematic dwellings, and otherwise kept watch on us all. He was, in many respects, the epitome of the solitary man, and yet, he was connected to so many of us. Jim Ruder was born to Ralph Emerson Ruder and Evelyn Arnold (Ruder) in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 6, 1929. He attended prep school at Mercersburg Academy (PA.). He then went on to receive an MBA from Stanford (1953). He was ROTC becoming an officer for the Air Research and Development Command (A.F.) He then spent 1956-59 working for the Martin company and from 1959-61 working for Lockheed. He owned and operated Hermosa Orchards (1963-68), then Fruitland Trading Company (1971-78). He became a partner in Mountain Drilling Company from 1970-75, and was a Private Security Analyst starting about 1980, primarily in gold mining equities. This interest led him to become a Board member and eventually the Chairman of the Board of Golden Cycle from 2002-08. Jim is survived by: a sister Alison (Ruder) Thomas and her husband Edward Morris Thomas, of Glenview, Ill; a brother Dr. John Regan Ruder of Palatine, Ill.; a sister Josephine Ruder Perrone of Boulder, CO. and nieces and nephews. He also left behind his two German Shepherds, Holly and Duke who have been faithful companions for 10 and 8 years respectively. Certainly he is now overjoyed to be reunited on some distant shore with his other 16 German Shepherds (from years past), all of whom will greet him with wagging tails, barks of joy and expectant mouths awaiting that next biscuit. Rest in Peace, Jim. Service: Saturday, December 10, 11:00am., in the Lehmberg Chapel at the First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave. 471-8522. In lieu of flowers and cards, donations can be made in Jim's name to Hillsdale College, 33 East College Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242.