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Charles “Chuck” William Ruby
05/23/1931 — 02/23/2014
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Wauneta, NE
Charles “Chuck” William Ruby
Charles Ruby passed away quietly in his sleep at Guardian Angel Homes on February 23, 2014. He was 82 years old. Charles was born May 23, 1931 in Wauneta, Nebraska to Perry and Lucille Ruby.
The family moved to San Juan, Texas in 1932 or 1933, and finally to Oregon in 1942. Chuck graduated from Oregon City High School, and later enrolled at the College of Idaho where he played football. The 1953 College of Idaho football team had a very successful season, playing in the Refrigerator Bowl in Evansville, Indiana, where some of the players experienced snow for the first time. Chuck was chosen an All-American at offensive guard for the College of Idaho's division of football. Chuck was then drafted into the Army where he was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. After completing his service, he returned to the College of Idaho for 2 more years.
Chuck married Norma Jean Woolery in 1958 and together they had 3 boys. The family moved from Caldwell, Idaho to Pasco, Washington in 1967. Although he taught for more than 37 years, it was at Riverview High School that Chuck began his final 26 years as a teacher, including his first love, coaching football. Chuck coached varsity football for 15 years while also teaching U. S. History, Current Affairs, Study Hall and of course, his favorite, Drivers Education. Even though he had several opportunities to teach and coach at larger high schools, he never considered leaving. He truly loved and cherished his time at Riverview High School.
Chuck finally retired in 1993 with the idea of spending more time on the small 3 ½ acre "Ruby Farm." He still found time to coach middle school boys' football and girls' basketball. He also volunteered for Meals on Wheels until health issues forced him to resign. A bout with cancer and losing a leg to diabetes took a toll but he never lost his sense of humor.
He was preceded in death by his parents, older brother Robert, and beloved dog, Jasmine.
He is survived by sisters, Doris Grycko and Jean Womelsduff; brothers, Gerald and Clyde; sons, Scott and daughter-in-law Cheri; Brock, Kyle daughter-in-law Sandy and grandchildren, Alex and Kaitlyn.
I owe my good driving record to Mr. Ruby. I was suppose to drive with him after school one day when we had a horrible snow storm. I assumed Driver’s Ed would be cancelled. But Mr. Ruby stated that I should buck up and drive-no better way to learn. I graduated in 1993 and enjoyed his classes as well: US History, US Goverment, and Current World Problems. Great man!
Sorry to hear about the passing of Chuck. He was a good friend and classmate. Condolences to his family.
Mr. Ruby I will never forget the fun we had in your class. RIP
Of all the schools I attended and all the teachers I had there is none that I looked up to and respected more than Mr. Ruby. He was an excellent teacher and great person. He was a great influence in the life of every student to walk the halls of RVHS. We will miss you Mr. Ruby.
I owe my good driving record to Mr. Ruby. I was suppose to drive with him after school one day when we had a horrible snow storm. I assumed Driver’s Ed would be cancelled. But Mr. Ruby stated that I should buck up and drive-no better way to learn. I graduated in 1993 and enjoyed his classes as well: US History, US Goverment, and Current World Problems. Great man!
Sorry to hear about the passing of Chuck. He was a good friend and classmate. Condolences to his family.
Mr. Ruby I will never forget the fun we had in your class. RIP
Of all the schools I attended and all the teachers I had there is none that I looked up to and respected more than Mr. Ruby. He was an excellent teacher and great person. He was a great influence in the life of every student to walk the halls of RVHS. We will miss you Mr. Ruby.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Ruby’s friends and family. My only hope is that they know how much he was loved and respected. To this day, I still remember a line he used while I was in school. “Your rights end where another persons begin.” RIP Mr. Ruby and thank you so much for choosing the profession you did.
Chuck was a heck of a man. I started working at RVHS in 1985 and over the years he taught me a lot. He donated several pigs that my basketball program would sell tickets to raffle off. He did many things like that for the kids at Finley. He made a difference in many lives-mine included.
Class of 1971 #34
You will always be my coach.
Yes you are coaching for a larger team now and for ever more.
Coach I well always have you in my
memories and in my heart. May you stand tall on that sideline. Thank you!
Gods speed Coach
I would like to THANK Mr. Ruby’s kids for allowing him to spend 4 years with me. Mr. Ruby was my basketball coach for a year and my football coach for 4 years. In fact I was on the FIRST football team to play for Coach Ruby that went to the very FIRST state playoff appearance for Finley. I just wish we could have done better for him. In my senior year my hair was pretty long and COACH was giving me a bad time about not seeing the ball. COACH said that he had a remedy for my problem. I said fix my problem. So COACH grabbed a bowl and scissor’s and took me out to the front steps of the H.S. and cut my hair. All the kids were laughing, but it must have worked, I never dropped a pass that night.
COACH will NEVER be FORGOTTEN. He had a VERY BIG impact in all the student’s and player’s that he touched.
REST IN PEACE COACH!!!!!
Guestbook for
Charles “Chuck” William Ruby