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William Jennings Ruffing Mar 12, 2008 12:00 AM A A Jennings Ruffing 1951-200 8 A Memorial service will be held for William Jennings Ruffing at Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 N. Second Street, in downtown Ashland, Friday, March 14, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. Jennings, 56, died peacefully at home on Sunday, March 9, 2008, after a short battle with cancer. Jennings Ruffing was born June 28, 1951, in Lusk, Wyo., the youngest in a family of five. He grew up loving the out-of-doors and by his early teens would take off for a week or two with a friend and live entirely "off the land," cooking in a makeshift campsite, the rabbits and fish they caught. He was a very popular student at Lusk Grade, Lusk Junior High and Niobrara County High Schools. He was active in the Boy Scouts and in his church, serving as an alter boy for over 12 years. At the age of 16 he began his work experience as an electrical apprentice following the electrical trade path through to a master electrician certificate. As a young adult he attended the University of Northern Colorado and graduated in Special Education. After a year of teaching, he joined the United States Navy for four years as the supervisor of Pediatric Services in a 600 bed navy hospital. After the Navy, he renewed his interest in the electrical trade and joined his father's business, an electrical contracting and construction company, where he developed the firm into a highly respected company. During this time he also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Lusk Fire Department. He later attended the University of Wyoming, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. On October 22, 1983, he married Rebecca (Becky) Mae Bereman, who became his life companion. Over the next 23 years, various jobs as an electrical engineer took them both from Wyoming to San Diego, Calif., Portland, and Taiwan. Finally, he and Becky settled in Medford seven years ago and shortly after, Jennings established his own electrical engineering business in the Valley. Licensed in California, Oregon and Washington, he developed a reputation for developing innovative solutions for his clients and delivering quality electrical design products responsive to their needs. Jennings Ruffing served on the Medford Planning Commission for five years and was recently recognized by the Mayor for his years of service to the Commission. He thoroughly enjoyed this volunteer work attending over 150 Commission, subcommittee and study meetings. He was an active member of first, St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Medford and later Trinity Episcopal Church in Ashland. He and Becky were active members of Cursillo, a lay spiritual formation movement focused on renewal of the basic Christian message to build loving and supportive communities bringing the spirit of Christ in service as in "I was hungry and you fed me, I was in prison and you visited me" (Matthew 25). They were also both very active in the "Beyond War" movement for many years, coordinating many events. Jennings loved flying, and owned his own plane for several years. He also loved fishing, camping, gardening (especially roses), and had a special fondness for his beloved dogs. Many may not have known his extraordinary generous spirit, his gifts of time, love and patience to his friends, employees and to total strangers. Three or four times a year in the winter months, he and Becky would cook a large pot of soup, buy used coats, socks, gloves, hats, and distribute them to the homeless under the bridge of Barnett Road. Jennings is survived by his wife, Becky; mother, Bess; sisters, Mary and Judy; and brother, John. He is preceded in death by his sister, Pat; and father, William Jennings. In lieu of flowers, you may choose to give a donation to one of Jenning's favorite charities: World Vision, Mercy Corps, Trinity Episcopal Church Outreach Program, or any program that supports the poor or homeless. Alternatively, reach out and touch someone you know, or don't know, in the same way Jennings so unselfishly reached out and touched the lives of others. William Jennings Ruffing