Edward E. Ruhnke Jr. ’59

Ted died March 11, 2022.

A native of East Orange, N.J., at high school Ted played football, ran track, worked on the school newspaper, and was senior class president. At Princeton, he majored in chemistry, was a member of Tower Club, and performed with the Triangle Club. His senior-year roommates were Jerry Brisco and Dunc Dempster.

Following graduation, Ted attended the University of Virginia Medical School, earning a medical degree in 1963. Ted was class president all four of his years at UVA and formed a strong attachment to the Commonwealth. After his residency in Connecticut and a tour with the Army, he returned to Virginia to take up an OB-GYN practice in Petersburg. Ted married Mary Stewart in 1964. She, son, Edward III, and daughter Sarah, and several grandchildren survive him.

Ted had an active medical practice and is credited with having delivered close to 8,000 newborns. In addition, he devoted himself to activities with Habitat for Humanity and also served as chairman of the Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority. In 2012, Ted was recognized by Virginia Gov. Bob McConnell as outstanding senior volunteer in Virginia for 2012.