Roger William Ruf

Roger Ruf, age 81, De Pere, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 12th. Roger was the son of the late Winfred and Genevieve Ruf, Green Bay.  Roger graduated from Green Bay West High School in 1959 and married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Karen Vannes, at Annunciation Church in Green Bay on October 8, 1960.  Together they shared 53 years of marriage that resulted in 4 children:  Michael, Steve, Sherri and Lynn, as well as a foster daughter, Vicki (Schneider) Nason and 9 grandchildren.

Roger earned a B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse graduating with high honors in 1963. He went on to earn a master’s degree from Northern Michigan University in 1966. While at UW-LaCrosse, Roger was very active in school affairs holding offices in both his social (Beta Sigma Chi) and professional (Phi Epsilon Kappa) fraternities.  He was also the school’s Intramural Sports Director.  He then began his teaching and coaching career at De Pere High School in the fall of 1963 and retired in 1995 after 32 years.  Roger taught various social studies classes, as well as physical education but most enjoyed psychology after starting the school’s department, teaching both a base course and advanced psychology.  Roger received many good compliments and student feedback through the years from former students who shared how beneficial the class was to them in their lives.  Roger also headed the popular Intramural Sports program for many years at De Pere High School.

Roger’s coaching career involved football and track.  His teams won conference championships in both sports, track in 1967 and football in the 1972.  Coach Ruf was named Metro Football Coach of the Year by the Green Bay Press Gazette following the 1972 season.  The boys track championship was the first and believed to be the only boys track championship in De Pere High School history up to the time he left coaching.  Roger truly enjoyed coaching, but most enjoyed the relationships with the team members.  He maintained lasting social relationships with many former students/athletes.  Roger was a WIAA Wrestling Official for 17 years including many regional, sectional and state matches.  He enjoyed attending and hosting parties, gardening, hunting, fishing, gambling, playing cards, and was an avid Badger and Packer fan.

Prior to, and following his retirement, Roger was a very active volunteer working with his favorite charity, The Salvation Army (bell ringing for Christmas, toy distribution, etc.) and his church, St. Francis/St. Mary’s De Pere, where he was an usher, lector and member of the funeral choir.  He also worked the annual church picnic and was a volunteer teacher in the CCD program at St. Francis.  Roger was very proud of his Catholic faith and attended mass regularly.  He was an active member of the Green Bay Moose Lodge #801 and De Pere’s Men’s Club serving as an officer.  Roger and his wife Karen traveled extensively with countless trips to Las Vegas, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica and Bahamas to name a few.

The Ruf family will surely miss Roger’s annual Christmas message/story telling which reflected family love and strong family values.  Roger enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities and spending time with them.  He loved his pets, especially his dogs, Tia and Cuddles.

Roger was preceded in death by his wife, Karen and his son, Mike. 

He is survived by Mike’s children, Ryan, Brandon and Sean.  He is also survived by his son, Steve, grandchildren; Janelle and Lindsay.  His daughter, Sherri Geurts (Rick), grandchild; Kendall.  Daughter, Lynn Geurts (Fiance’, Steve Martin), grandchild; Cameron.  Foster daughter, Vicki (Charlie) Nason, grandchildren; Joe and Michael. Roger is also survived by his only sister, Suzanne (Late Bruce) Witbro and sister-in-law, Gloria (Late Ralph) Cramer.

Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Ave., De Pere, on Wednesday, December 22 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.  A funeral service for Roger will be at 7:00pm with Rev. Matt Faucett officiating.  Interment in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, De Pere.