Richard Irvin Ruegge

Richard Irvin Ruegge, 78, of New Haven, MO, passed away Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at Mercy Hospital, Creve Coeur, Missouri.
 
Richard was born in Washington, Missouri on August 17, 1945, the son of the late Irvin H. & Leona M. (Hockemeyer) Ruegge.
 
He was the husband of Sally Ann (Harman) Ruegge.  They were united in marriage on June 9, 1973, at St. Peter's United Church of Christ, New Haven.
 
Early in his career Richard was the sports writer for the New Haven Leader.  He worked for many years at Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of New Haven as a quality control manager.  He then spent several years as an offset pressman for Leader Publishing Company.
 
Richard proudly served his country in the United States Army.  He was a member of the Memorial Baptist Church, New Haven, where he served as a long time Deacon and Sunday School teacher.  Music played a large role in Richard’s life and he was a gifted vocalist. He had very fond memories of performing with the East Central College Theater Department in productions of Two by Two, Carousel, Outward Bound, and 1776. He was a proud member of several community choral organizations along with Sally. In his free time he enjoyed hiking, fishing, hunting, being outdoors and gardening.  He took great delight in raising native grasses and flowers at his New Haven home, but mostly loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
 
Richard is survived by his wife, Sally Ruegge, of New Haven; three daughters, Katherine Kurz & husband Brian, of Gridley, Illinois; Kristine Lewis & husband Richard, of Joliet, Illinois; and Carolyn Gittemeier & husband Bradley, of St. Peters, Missouri; five grandchildren, Hannah, Luke, Josophine, Isabella and Sylvester; a sister, Winifred Plummer, of New Haven, Missouri; two brothers, Larry Ruegge, of New Haven, Missouri; and Clyde Ruegge & wife Kay, of New Haven, Missouri, and many nieces and nephews.
 
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 7th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, New Haven.
 
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Baptist Church, New Haven.
 
Burial will be at New Haven Cemetery.  Memorials may be given to Memorial Baptist Church or New Haven Cemetery.