Lewis Ruch

Mr. Lewis Ruch, 71, of North Stratford, NH, unexpectedly passed away at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon on Friday, September 23, 2005. He was born in North Stratford, NH, on June 28, 1934, the son of Willard Arnold and Alice (Hinman) Ruch. He graduated from North Stratford High School in 1952 whereupon he served in the U.S. Navy 1952-1956 during the Korean Conflict and later graduated from Paul Smith’s College, New York, in 1958. He began his career in Forestry at the Groveton Paper Mill in 1958 and retired as Operations Manager for Champion International in 1995. Lewis’ life was family and community. During his years in Lancaster he was a Forest Fire Volunteer and President of the Kiwanis Club. Later when he settled back in North Stratford, he held the position of Town Selectman for five years. During his tenure as a selectman, he became actively involved in emergency management. A notable accomplishment while serving as Director was the development of the All Hazard Mitigation Plan. For his efforts he received Emergency Manager of the Year Award for New Hampshire in 2003 from the Northeast States Emergency Consortium (NESEC). He was active in the local and state Republican Party and was Treasurer for the Coos County Republican Committee. He faithfully served at the First Baptist Church of North Stratford as a Trustee and Financial Investment Officer. He was also the Financial Investment Officer and President of the Fairview Cemetery. Lewis’ service to the community is best summed up in his own words, “You live long enough in a community, somewhere along the line you like to give something back.” Lewis is survived by his loving wife, Frances (Lewis) Ruch; his brother, Arnold Ruch, and wife Ruth, of Richford, VT; three sons, Greg Lewis Ruch of New Windsor, NY, Karl Lewis Ruch, and wife Leslie, of Groveton, NH, and Kurt Lewis Ruch of Groveton, NH; his daughter, Alice Ruch Corbett, and husband Gary of Round Lake, IL; Frances’ daughter, DeeAnna Struchen, and husband Jim, of North Augusta, SC; fourteen (14) grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Joan.

Lewis Ruch

June 28, 1934 - September 23, 2005