Archive for the ‘Kansas’ Category

David R. Ruffin (’54)

David Raymond Ruffin, 90, passed away Wednesday, September 30,2020 at his home. He was born March 18, 1930 in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Raymond and Grace (Ledbetter) Ruffin. David graduated from Aldine High School in 1947. He owned Ruffin Inc. in Dodge City. He attended the Methodist Church and was Rotary President in Dodge City, Kansas and Georgetown, Texas. He entered the United States Marines in June 1947 at the age of 17. He served as a Trustee of Saint Mary’s of the Plains. While a Marine, he did his basic training in San Diego and was later stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. After the military he came to University of Houston and graduated with his Bachelor of Science and was the first in his family to graduate from college. After he retired, he enjoyed traveling with Stephen and Glenn and golfing with Tim. After selling his business in Dodge City, he moved to Pratt. He wanted to be close to his grandchildren. He especially enjoyed watching Bryan and Katie play sports. He is survived by his children, David Ruffin, Jr. of Walnut Creek, California, Tim (Nancy) Ruffin of Reno, Nevada, Stephen (Glenn Andersen) Ruffin of Porto, Portugal and Susan (Mike) Kirby of Cunningham; grandchildren, Coleman (Jessi) Ruffin, Robert Ruffin, Daniel Ruffin, Thomas Ruffin, Bryan (Erin) Kirby, Katie (Phil) Hellman and Sean (M’kaylee) Kirby; and 5 greatgrandchildren. David is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bobby Ruffin. A funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, October 8, 2020 at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 9, 2020 at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Nashville.

Andrew R. Gustafson (’12)

Andrew Gustafson, who earned his Master’s in History from UH, was recently featured in an article in the Shawnee Mission Post.

As curator of interpretation for the Johnson County Museum, Gustafson develops and designs plans for the temporary and digital exhibits, leads special tours, manages the museum’s social media platforms and blogs, and plans adult programming.

 

 

 

Shawnee Mission Faces: Andrew R. Gustafson, history buff and curator of interpretation for Johnson County Museum

Richard Kent Marks (O.D. ’70)

Richard Kent Marks, OD, 77, born to Lucille and Leslie Marks on November 6, 1942, in Sheldon, Iowa, passed away of natural causes on April 15, 2020.

Due to the current health situation in the world, there will not be an open ceremony.

Richard is survived by his older sister Judy Lutzi, his three younger brothers Steve, Wesley, Russell, and Richard’s former wife Susan. Richard has three children: Kelby, Marla and Staci, as well as three granddaughters: Natalia, Gabriela, and Tayler. He was proud of the family that he and Susan loved and supported together.

Richard spent most of his early life growing up between Nebraska and Kansas before graduating from the Kansas State Teacher’s College in Emporia in 1966. Later on, he finished his Optometry Doctorate at the University of Houston in 1970 and moved to Derby, Kan., where he established a widely respected and successful 45-year optometry practice.

He was a dedicated and active member in the United Methodist Church, the Kansas Optometric Association, The Optimist Club, and a founder of the Derby Running Club. In all of these organizations he served in leadership and presidential roles over the years. He often talked about his time working on the railroad through college and maintained a fascination with trains all his life. He had a great admiration for his Nebraska roots and his family’s Nebraska/German genealogy. He loved to go on road trips through Kansas and Nebraska looking for remnants of the Santa Fe Trail or to locate small Marks family cemeteries and homesteads. He was a marathon runner. He was an accomplished photographer. He was a fervent Jayhawk basketball fan. He LOVED pie – he would frequently drive 50 miles just to get his favorite rhubarb pie.

He was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) in 2016, and his cognitive and physical health began to fade. At that point, he finally retired and spent more time with his closest friends and family. He eventually moved to Bogota, Colombia, where he spent the better part of a year living with his son, Kelby and two of his granddaughters, Gabriela and Natalia. When his health required more constant and professional care, he moved to San Diego, Calif., where he was able to have more visits and time with his two daughters and granddaughter, Tayler, until he passed away.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD): https://www.theaftd.org/support-aftds-mission/