Charles Ruhl

Charles Robert Ruhl, Jr., passed away peacefully at his home in Seguin, Texas on April 29, 2014. Chuck, as his family and friends knew him, was born on May 14, 1943 in Orrick, Missouri to Charles and Thelma Ruhl. He grew up with younger siblings, Joseph and Peggy, in a military family, traveling as they do, from base to base across the USA, England, Japan and the Philippines, before settling in rural Neosho, Missouri permanently.
At 17, Chuck served briefly and honorably in the Navy Reserve, before enlisting in the U. S. Army in 1962. He served on Battery C of the 319th Artillery and after airborne training, became a member of the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He married in 1964 to Ingeborg Wollensack and had two children, Steven and Sonja, with her in a marriage that lasted 50 years. Chuck served in various locations over a five year army career as a senior parachutist, expert rifle marksman and boxing champion of the 5th Battalion 81st Artillery, mustering out as a Sergeant in Wiesbaden, Germany in 1967.
After a brief time in civilian life as an insurance salesman, he enlisted again in the U. S. Air Force at Randolph AFB, Texas in late 1967 for the opportunity to serve working on jet engines. He hated to fly, but he loved working on engines, whether aircraft, automobile or small utility engines. He went to the 3345th Tech School at Chanute AFB, IL for Jet Engine Mechanic training where he learned the required skills and was subsequently stationed at Kirkland AFB, New Mexico to the 4925th Field Maintenance Squadron.
During the Vietnam War, Chuck was transferred to the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, Field Maintenance Squadron in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam where he serviced F100 Super Sabres in combat operations. He received the Gallantry Cross and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship decorations during this period as well. Returning stateside to Kirkland, he continued to service F4D Phantoms, F100s, C130s and C135 aircraft.
Chuck and family would see service with the Field Maintenance Squadrons at various bases in the USA, and Germany over a twenty year career such as the 319th Bombardment Wing at Grand Forks, ND servicing B52s the 6515th Test Support Squadron at Edwards AFB, CA the 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing in Zweibrucken, Germany receiving all USAFE awards for his Test Cell complex management at the height of the Cold War and the 43th Military Air Lift Wing in Dover, DE finishing his military career there as a Master Sergeant in 1983.
After retirement, settling in the Seguin New Bruanfels area in Texas, Chuck drove tractor trailer rigs for a few years before joining the U. S. Postal Service, enjoying a 19 year career before retiring. Chuck enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter, fisherman, gun collector and expert marksman, enjoying the respect of his peers at U. S. and German skeet trap competitions. He enjoyed riding Arabian horses mules and guiding elk hunts with his brother Joe. He was a very strong willed, hard working man, constantly building things, welding something, gardening or caring for the animals he raised. He was a loving father and dedicated husband and will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by us all.
Chuck is survived by his wife Ingeborg Ruhl son Steve Ruhl daughterinlaw Margarita, grandchildren Tatiana, Erik Madeline Ruhl in Magnolia, TX Daughter Sonja Halbardier soninlaw Jay, grandchildren Corinne, Dylan Corbin Halbardier in Seguin, TX brother Joe Ruhl sisterinlaw Jeana of Jacumba, CA sister Peggy Smith brotherinlaw Doug Smith of Waco, TX nephews, Robert Smith Charles Ruhl nieces, Jeana Kuch Julie Smith cousin Glenda Lee husband Jim and numerous other aunts and uncles.
Special thanks to all of the staff from Hospice and Healthcare Providers, and especially for our mom Inge, his wife primary caregiver during the last hard years of battling Progressive Supranuclear Palsy PSP Disease, and loving thanks to his secondary caregiver, daughter Sonja Halbardier during these hard times.
A Funeral Service will be held at Palmer Mortuary on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 10:00 a. m. Interment is to be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 1:15 p. m.

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