Richard E. “Dick” Ruh, age 93, of Howard, Ohio, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2026, at The Ohio Eastern Star Home.
He was born on March 27, 1933, in Columbus, Ohio to the late Richard C. and Catheryn M. (Thompson) Ruh.
Richard (Dick) graduated from Columbus South High School in 1951 where he received athletic letters in football, basketball, and baseball, and was awarded the Agonis Club Scholar Athlete Award in 1950. Dick enrolled in Otterbein University in 1951 graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955. While at Otterbein he lettered in football, basketball and baseball each of his four years there.
Upon graduation, Dick was drafted into the US Army where he served the majority of his service time in Frankfurt, Germany as a Private First Class in the 143rd Armored Signal Company. Following his discharge, he married his wife Lois Jean (Kauffman) Ruh in 1957.
Dick began his 34-year teaching and coaching career at Homer and Utica High schools in Licking County. He later continued his teaching at Dominion Junior High and Beechcroft High School in Columbus. He received his Master of Arts Degree in Physical Education from The Ohio State University in 1966. During his coaching years his teams won several championships. Dick was inducted into the Ohio District Ten Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1994 and into the Otterbein University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. Following his retirement from the Columbus City Schools in 1991, Dick enjoyed gardening, working around the home, and remained an avid sports fan.
Dick is survived by his daughters, Regina (Bill) Ferrigno of Howard and Jeannine Ruh of Parma Heights; a granddaughter, Wendy (Allen) Poff of Howard; great-grandsons, Connor and Levi Poff; nephew Rev. Kevin (Coral) Brown, great-niece, Stephanie (Jude) Dille, great-nephew, Jeremy Brown, great-nephew, Rev. Joshua (Tiffany) Sandy, and several great-great-nieces and nephews.
Dick was preceded in death by his wife Lois of sixty-eight years in 2025
The family is observing private graveside services in Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus.
The Snyder Funeral Home – Lasater Chapel is handling the arrangements for the family.
To express a condolence to the Ruh family, please visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
Funeral Home: The Snyder Funeral Home – Lasater Chapel
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com