Ronald Ruth

Ronald Alan Ruth of Saint Louis, Missouri passed away on June 3, 2020 at the young age of 52, peacefully in his sleep. Ron was born November 9, 1967 to Joan Turlin and Ronald Ruth. He was a 1987 graduate of Lindbergh High School. He had many careers that he was passionate about but loved most his work as an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic working on aircraft. Most important to him were his family and friends. He married Cindy Norris in 1994 and became a bonus dad to two children, Alexus Reitz (Viegas) and Eric Reitz.

At a young age Ron loved spending summers in Perryville, MO with his Grandma Turlin, Uncle Charlie, Aunt Sandy and his cousins Torry and Dana Turlin.  He loved to ride dirt bikes from an early age and had a fascination with cars.  He loved tinkering with cars and was very proud of the cars he worked hard to restore.  His fascination lasted into adulthood and he loved his truck so much that he was teased by many that if he had the chance, he would marry the truck.  He was larger than life and was the life of the party.  He loved Street Car National and had many fond memories with his friends. 

Ron married Cindy Norris in 1994 and happily stepped into the role of a father.  He loved Cindy with all his heart and her children were an extension of that love, to Ron.  He was a loving husband and father that tried to make every moment special for their family.  Cindy and Ron were married for 26 years and they spent many years traveling and enjoying life.  Ron was a pillar in the family and worked hard to be a great husband and father.  He loved going on adventures and loved California, where he and Cindy moved in 2010.  They lived in California for 7 years and went on endless adventures to the ocean, mountains and big tree forests of California.  He was overjoyed with the birth of his grandchildren.   He was silly and serious and all who knew him knew that he was a force in the world.   

His daughter Alexus will always remember him as a dedicated father, cheerleader, adviser, and comforter. She was always his right hand “man” helping him work on the cars, building furniture, and doing heavy lifting. A true daddy’s girl, his daughter now has two daughters and another on the way, that were the light of Ron’s life. In his final months, to help his daughter and son-in-law Jake Viegas, he moved to Maryland and spent every day helping care for the children and became a part of the home, until his passing. His daughter and son-in-law will always be grateful for the love and encouragement her father gave and will cherish the memories together with her father and with his favorite people in the world: his granddaughters.  Some of his oldest granddaughters’ favorite memories are spending summers with her Maw Maw and Paw Paw and the adventures they would have together.

His son thought Ron was a kind and loving father, brutally honest when he needed to be, compassionate when people counted on him—with a wild sense of humor that almost always made him laugh at loud. His heart is heavy from Ron’s unexpected death but, finds solace in the memories of his father.  Ron’s voice will live on.  Eric fondly remembers working with his Dad, removing snow in the winter and endless conversations to help him understand the world.  Eric will cherish the remembrance of his father for the rest of his life, until he can join him on the other side. 

Rest in peace, Dad; give Grandma Joan and Turlin lots of hugs for me

His current friend Joan Montague remembers Ron as an amazing man who LOVED his family immensely and with his whole heart and soul. He had a quality in him lost in most men these days. His honesty, loyalty, capacity to love unconditionally and need to take care of his loved ones, made him shine so brightly.  Ron loved his nephew, Randy Ruth, very much and was a tremendous addition in his life, stepping in as a father figure to his nephew, after the passing of Ron’s brother Rick Ruth.   

He will truly be missed EVERY second of EVERY day but NEVER forgotten. Please join his family in celebrating his life by sharing your stories of joy, grief, love, and any pictures that you may have, to the photo album or any stories to the online stories or guest book section.