Obituary of William R Ruch

William R. Ruch, 97, a longtime resident of Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge, died peacefully on the evening of December 29, 2014 of complications resulting from pneumonia, at Morristown Medical Center. Born on Dec 28, 1917 in Allentown, Pennsylvania to Ralph and Helen Ruch, Bill was the oldest of two children. He was a graduate of West Chester College, after serving as a bombardier Lieutenant in the US Army Air Force during WWII on active duty in the European theatre, based in England. In 1946, he entered the Livingston NJ School system as an instrumental music teacher, where he met the love of his life, Dorothy Jean Maust, a fellow music teacher. They were married and settled in Berkeley Heights remaining there until Jean's death in 1994. Bill was the director of instrumental music at Livingston High School, leading both the band and orchestra. He acquired a master's degree from New York University during his early years of teaching. In his later career, he served in the elementary school system at Livingston up until his retirement in 1981, bringing the joy of music to young children. He was the founding church organist at the Presbyterian Church of Livingston, a position he held for over 50 years. After retirement, Bill was involved in extensive volunteer work in multiple community organizations in Union and Essex counties, including Runnels Hospital. He moved to Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge in 1996, where he was a founding resident in this continuing care retirement community, continuing his volunteer work in the Village Store and leading their community chorus for almost 15 years. Mr. Ruch was married to Dorothy Jean Maust for 44 years. He is survived by his son David R Ruch and daughter in-law, NanHe Ruch, both residing in Seoul, Korea, and his grandson Bryan Ruch and granddaughter-in-law, Anna Gibbs Ruch, both residing in Atlanta. A private memorial service will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Livingston. Mr. Ruch's ashes will be interred in the Karen Endress Memorial Garden at the church, next to his wife, Jean Ruch. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Presbyterian Church of Livingston Music Fund would be appreciated. Arrangements are by Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, Basking Ridge, for further information please contact the funeral home at 908-766-0250, or to light an online condolence candle please visit our website at www.gcfuneralhome.com