Juan E. Ruz IV ’79

The class is sad to report that Juan Ruz died March 12, 2011, in Fairview, N.J.

Born in Cuba, Juan immigrated to the United States as an adolescent and lived in Union City, N.J. An ardent basketball fan, part of what drew Juan to Princeton was the University’s 1975 victory in the National Invitational Tournament. Juan majored in sociology and was a student manager for the women’s basketball team.

Well-known for his infectious love of drum and bugle corps, Juan coached the color guard at Roselle Park (N.J.) High School for a number of years after graduating from Princeton. In recent years he worked conducting statistical analysis for pharmaceutical companies. He also interviewed applicants from his high school, Union Hill, for the Alumni Schools Committee.

One of Juan’s many Princeton friends, Kryston (Rogers) Fischer ’79, said, “Juan was a leader in so many areas … he taught me about Cuba, the Spanish language, comic books, computers, cuisine, drum corps, caring, and so much more.” Juan also was active in our class reunions, supervising children’s activities at one.

He is survived by his sister, Gladys, and his brother, Lorenzo. We mourn Juan’s passing and extend our sympathy to his family and friends.