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CLOUDY Temp: 45 °F Wind: N at 4 mph Monday, April 21, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend April 10, 2003 Online real estate leader Rucklos dies Hopes for a last-minute rally that would have raised money for a Medford man’s liver transplant faded quietly Monday. Tom Rucklos, founder of the pioneering real estate Web site www.move2oregon.com , died at about 5:30 a.m. of liver failure, his wife said. He was 49. "He was fighting to the last minute," said Cynthia Rucklos, 46. "His heart was so strong. Bless his heart, he was just a champion." Efforts by members of the local real estate community to raise $250,000 — the estimated cost of a transplant — had netted about $5,000 at last check, Cynthia Rucklos said. Those funds will help offset at least $100,000 in medical expenses, she said. Local real estate workers launched a fund drive that included a trust fund at PremierWest Bank and an advertising challenge. "There was a flurry of donations, some in the $500 range," said Randy Unger of Sierra West Real Estate. "There was some activity, which was great, and then it tapered off." Tom Rucklos was diagnosed with chronic liver disease two years ago, just after economic hardship prompted him to stop paying his private insurance premiums. Although he qualified for the Oregon Health Plan, recent cuts in the state budget diminished his benefits. Cynthia Rucklos and Unger said they plan to organize a support group for people who need liver transplants and their families. Unger said he’s interested in starting a foundation to help uninsured people pay for organ transplants. "This is a life-or-death situation," he said. "This is not acceptable." Rucklos was recognized as a local leader in on-line real estate advertising. The Web site he and Cynthia Rucklos designed has recorded more than 8 million hits, she said. A memorial service for Tom Rucklos is planned for 1:30 p.m. Friday at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 1020 E. Main St., Medford. Full obituary, Page 2B Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S