November 2011
Ed Ruese, F28117, a longtime member of FMCA who served as the association’s national senior vice president and national vice president, International Area, died on August, 27, 2011, in Madison, Wisconsin. He was 78.
Ed was born June 1, 1933, in Lawrence, Kansas. He graduated from Lawrence Memorial High School and attended the University of Kansas on an R.O.T.C. scholarship, earning a bachelor of science degree in geological engineering. Following his graduation in 1955, he was commissioned into the U.S. Navy and served for 25 years as a Supply Corps officer, retiring at the rank of commander in 1979. He served in combat during the Viet Nam War and held senior management positions in the Navy and the Department of Defense during his military career. Ed worked in computer management during his final 14 years of active duty and continued in that field afterward, serving in management positions and as a management consultant.
While stationed at the Naval Air Weapons Station in China Lake, California, Ed met his wife, Pat. He moved to Monterey, California, where he earned his master of science degree in computer systems management at the Naval Postgraduate School. Ed and Pat were married in 1969, the day after Ed graduated with his master’s degree.
The couple, who each were divorced with children from previous marriages, began motorhoming out of convenience rather than a desire to see the country. While stationed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1972, Ed received orders to transfer to Long Beach, California. The couple owned a five-passenger Fiat, which would not be big enough for four teenagers plus luggage. They looked into renting a motorhome but found that option would be impractical. So, a friend put Ed in contact with a Winnebago dealer with whom he arranged to purchase a 1972 Winnebago, sight-unseen, to be picked up in City of Commerce, California. Since Ed and Pat didn’t have quarters in Long Beach until Ed reported for duty on the USS Piedmont, they spent the season traveling with the kids throughout the West and Northwest in their Winnebago.
The motorhome stayed in storage for the next couple of years while Ed served in different parts of the world. When he returned to the United States and began working at the Pentagon, Ed and Pat lived in the motorhome for several months while they looked for a house in northern Virginia. After settling in Alexandria, they joined a Winnebago owners chapter and Ed soon was the group’s president. A friend from the group introduced the couple to FMCA in 1977.
After a Winnebago rally that they planned to attend was unexpectedly cancelled, the couple checked the calendar in Family Motor Coaching and found a rally being hosted by FMCA’s Capitol chapter 10 miles away. They went, had a great time, and soon became involved in numerous FMCA chapters. Ed was the founding president of the Full Timers chapter; alternate national director of the Capitol chapter; president and national director of the 3T’s chapter; and national director of the Amateur Radio chapter. The Rueses also were members of the Beaver Ambassador, 100%ers, M.I.M.E., Frustrated Maestros Rocky Mountain Rockers, Foretravel International, and PNO chapters. They also were charter members of the Swinging Golfers chapter.
The Rueses became full-timers in 1983 and lived in their motorhome for 25 years before purchasing a stationary home in Clarksdale, Arizona.
Ed was elected as national vice president, International Area, in 1996 and served until 1998. He then became national senior vice president, a position he held until 2000. During his time on the Executive Board, he was a member of the Membership/Member Services, Constitution & Bylaws, and Convention committees, serving as chairman for the latter. He also was a member of the Technical Advisory Committee (1996-2003) and the Information Systems Committee (1991-1994).
Ed is survived by his wife, Pat; sons Fred, Gray, and Stanton (Donna); daughter Gaylen (Craig) Mills; stepsons Scott (Margot) and Kelly Sprankle; and four grandchildren. Ed will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in June 2012. Donations in his name can be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 N. Randolph St., Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203.