Richard W. Ruckman

Richard W. Ruckman passed away on June 16, 2015, after a long battle with cancer.

He was preceded in death by his mother Margret Ruckman; father and step-mother Jim and Harriet Ruckman; son-in-law Matt Pitts; grandson Coleman Richardson; grandson-in-law Chip Green; great-grandson Zachary Green; and in-laws Archie and Arline Wedell.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years Barbara (Wedell) Ruckman; children Kathy and Greg Fisher of Alaska, Ginny Ruckman of Alaska, Julie and Brian Endle of Alaska, Kelly and Jeff Bajema of Grand Rapids, Jim and Debbie Haynes of Grand Rapids and Kathleen Pitts of Alaska; 31 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two brothers; two sisters and several in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

In his younger years he was an avid hunter, but later in life, golf was the name of the game. He enjoyed family gatherings and gardening. Tending to flowers was his passion. Rich worked for McDonald Douglas Aircraft Corp in St. Louis and retired in 1975 to move to Alaska where he owned Sutton General Store for three years. He returned to Grand Rapids and went back to work for McDonald Douglas Aircraft Corp, opened a new plant for them in Columbus, Ohio, only to retire again. He couldn’t stay still and went to work for Wyeth Ayerst Pharmaceutical in Mason, Michigan. Later on he was transferred to a Vermont Plant where he officially retired in 2004. His one real passion in life was to build a 1932 Ford Deuce Coupe. It was his pride and joy and took him to this day to build his car how he wanted. He was very proud of how it turned out. Rich loved his large family and many friends. Online condolences may be left at ofieldfuneralhome.com.

A service is at 1 p.m., June 27 at Ofield Funeral Home, 4500 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in Kentwood, Michigan, with a visitation one-hour prior.