Harold E. Ruck, 80, of East Ridge, died Sunday, August 1,2004 at his home.
Mr. Ruck was born January 9, 1924 in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Paul H. Ruck. He attended local schools and graduated from Bethany College in West Virginia with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He was a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity.
He served in the United Sates Army in WWII as a member of the 61h Infantry Division. This was the first American Unit to meet with the Russians at Torgau, Germany at the Elbe River. After the war he was discharged as a First Sergeant. He then attended the University of Michigan where he received a Master's Degree in mathematics, specializing in Actuarial Science.
He joined the Actuarial Department of the Volunteer State Life Insurance Company in July of 1951. He remained 38 years with the Volunteer, rising from an Actuarial clerk to President and CEO of the company. During this tenure, the company became part of the Monumental Life Insurance Company of Baltimore, Maryland, and the Chubb Corporation of New York City. After retiring, he worked as a consultant for 6 years at the Transamerica Corporation in Los Angeles, California.
He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where he served as Stewardship Chariman and other leadership capacities including the Good Shepherd Lutheran School Board. He was a Paul Harris Fellow member of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, Past President of the Southeastern Actuaries Club, Fellow-Society of Actuaries, Past President of The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, served on the boards of the Red Cross, Chubb Life, United Way, Family Service Agency and the Air Pollution Control Board. He was also Past President of the 6th Infantry Division Association.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert E. Ruck of Connellsville, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Ruck is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ethel Hart Ruck; brother Paul H. Ruck, Jr.; twin sons, Forrest Eugene Ruck, Greenville, SC., Harold A. Ruck, Miami, Fla.; daughter, Lisa R. Arnold, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and seven grandchildren, Kevin Ruck, Kimberly Ruck, Carlos Ruck, Alan Ruck, Brian Ruck, Buck Arnold and Hart Arnold.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with Rev. Clifford Herd officiating.
Interment will be in National Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to www. heritagefh. com
The family will receive friends from 5 until 9 Tuesday and Wednesday at Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.