Richard Ruch

KENT, Ohio — Dr. Richard "Dick" Julius Ruch, 90, of Kent died Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.

He was born June 9, 1932, in Perryville, Missouri, to Julius and Zita Boxdorfer Ruch.

He received his bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University and a master's degree and doctorate from Iowa State University. He was on the faculty of State University of South Dakota and Southern Illinois University before joining the Chemistry Department of Kent State University in 1966. He retired from Kent State in 1996 as emeritus professor of chemistry.

Dick was active in the Cleveland Coatings Society, serving as president, secretary and treasurer. His research was in surface and colloid chemistry that was pertinent to paint and to the adhesion industries. He participated locally and nationally in presenting educational courses for the coatings industry.

Dick is survived by his sons, Stephen (Janice) of Kent, David (Carla) of Columbus, Indiana, and Daniel of Kent; daughter, Susan of Kent; grandsons, Benjamin of Southport, Indiana, Matthew of Indianapolis, Thomas of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and Jonathan Ruch of Columbus; and sister-in-law Sharon Sander of Gordonville,.

He was preceded in death by his parents and in 2013 by his wife, Leola Sander Ruch, to whom he was married for 59 years.

Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 23, at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St. in Kent, with a funeral to follow at noon at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Pastor Doug Riley will officiate.

Memorials may be given to Worship Anew, www.worshipanew.org; American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org; The Parkinson's Foundation, www.parkinson.org; or any charity of the donor's choice.

To share a memory, send a condolence or light a candle, visit the tribute wall at www.bisslerandsons.com.