"I send my heartfelt condolences to all Dr. Ruddell's family and friends. I knew Dr. Ruddell through working at Woodstock Club, he was undoubtedly one of my favorite members. He was a kind, sweet, intelligent, funny man whom I will miss terribly. I think a part of me will always expect to see him, as I walk into the clubroom, sitting at the bar with a crossword puzzle, his hearing aids in but not turned up enough, and "his drink". I'll miss you, Dr. Ruddell, thank you for the memories!"
In loving memory of
Keith Ruddell
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969
Dr. Keith R. Ruddell, 92 of Indianapolis, IN passed away peacefully at his residence. He was born on June 26, 1917 in Indianapolis to the late Karl and Margaret (Hannon) Ruddell. Keith graduated from Cathedral High School the class of 1934, Butler University the class of 1938 and from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in 1942. He joined the US Army in 1943 and was a Captain serving as a physician and surgeon. Keith completed his fellowship at the Lahey Clinic in Boston, MA and the Crile Clinic in Cleveland, OH. He practiced general surgery at Winona Memorial Hospital and Community Hospital. Keith was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, fifty year member of the Downtown Rotary Club and a long time member of the Woodstock Club. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane Kruse Ruddell. Several nieces and nephews survive. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday November 20, 2009 at 11:00 am in the Gothic Chapel at Crown Hill Cemetery. You are invited to visit the website www.leppertmortuary.com where you may share a personal memory of Keith, sign the guest book or make memorial contribution to the Children?s Museum or to your favorite charity. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel.
Tributes
"A very very nice Great Uncle who always seemed to be in a good, relaxed mood. Spending time with Keith brought a smile. In his life & work he saved many lives & brought much joy. May he rest in eternal peace."
"I work for many people near Dr Ruddell's home and he and his staff were always very friendly and pleasant. I am so thankful that Dr. Ruddell got his wish to head to heaven from his home. I spoke with two of his very nice nieces when that collective decision had been made. It made my day. Godspeed, Dr. Ruddell."
"Dr. Ruddell will be missed terribly by those of us who knew him through Woodstock Club. He had such personality and always made me laugh. He was very loyal and we could expect to see him everyday at 5:30. He loved his scotch, hot dogs, grilled cheese supreme and the WSS. He enjoyed a good chat at the bar and always spoke fondly of his late wife. On his way out every night, to watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, he would say "Bon Soir." I'll never forget Dr. Ruddell. He touched the lives of so many people, myself included."
"Working at the Woodstock Club was my part-time college job during my days at Butler. I was so excited to meet such a wonderful person in Dr. Ruddell who was all of our grandfathers while we were away from home. I could count on him to be there everyday when our shift started to have a Dewars at the bar and chat with Rose. He brightened all of our days and knew every server by name. He was the popular guy who everyone wanted to wait on (but we had to rotate to be fair). I remember him telling me stories of his days at Phi Delt and all of his fond memories from college. A few years have passed since I last saw Dr. Ruddell but I thought of him often. I hope he is in a much better and happier place now and I have a feeling he and my grandpa Joe will become great friends. Thank you Dr. Ruddell for always putting a smile on my face and for being one of the neatest people I have ever met. Rest in peace Dr. Ruddell and much love to you and your family."
"My sincere sympathy to the family of Dr. Keith R. Ruddell, M.D., whom I knew for many years, along with his father, mother, and sister -- all outstanding individuals. Actually, our long association dates clear back to Keith's father's generation. Dr. Karl R. Ruddell, M.D. and my father were good friends. Keith's father also was most kind and helpful to me personally on a number of occasions. Keith has always had my highest regard."
"How lucky we were to have known Keith, my sister-in-law's Uncle. He was such a wonderful part of the Kruse Family and we always enjoyed being with him. His wit, stories and opinions will continue to be fond memories. With his wife Janie they were a delightful couple. Hope he and my Dad are enjoying a Scotch in Heaven!!"
"Keith was my godfather and a wonderful friend of the Westfall Family all these many years. Remembering 'Keith and Janie' at my parents house so long ago. More recently, all the trips back to Indy and enjoying Keith's company and the many wonderful evenings at beautiful Woodstock. Keith was a great joy to my mother, Audrey,---such fun with that marvelous sparkle in his bright eyes! He will be missed!"
"Its been many years since I last visited with Janie and Keith and I am deeply saddened to hear of Keiths passing. I alway enjoyed visiting when I was young because they were always happy at home and always welcomed our company. It is nice to read that his wish was to be at home. May they both rest in eternal peace!"
"In Memory of Capt. RiddellThou whom chance may hither lead,Be thou clad in russet weed,Be thou deckt in silken stole,Grave these counsels on thy soul.Life is but a day at most,Sprung from night - in darkness lost;Hope not sunshine ev'ry hour,Fear not clouds will always lour.___________________The Day Returns (Seventh of November wedding anniversary of Capt. Riddell)The day returns, my bosom burns, The blissful day we twa did meet: Tho' winter wild in tempest toil'd, Ne'er summer-sun was half sae sweet. Than a' the pride that loads the tide, And crosses o'er the sultry line; Than kingly robes, than crowns and globes, Heav'n gave me more-it made thee mine! While day and night can bring delight, Or Nature aught of pleasure give; While joys above my mind can move, For thee, and thee alone, I live. When that grim foe of life below Comes in between to make us part, The iron hand that breaks our band, It breaks my bliss-it breaks my heart!"
"I just want to say that I have been so lucky to have known Dr. Ruddell. I really enjoyed going to dinner and playing cards on Tuesdays with him and our friends. You will be dearly missed Keith! "
"Dr. Ruddell and his wife Jane were lifelong friends of my parents, Nick and Mary Jane Summers. I have fond memories of swimming in their pool and enjoying their lovely home. Dr. Ruddell preceded my mother in death by just a few days. I hope they and all their friends and spouses that preceded them are having a wonderful reunion right now. Dr. Ruddell exemplified a positive attitude and a true joy for life. "
"I'll always remember Keith and his wife Janie. We would visit them during the summer from France for many years and I have such great remembrance of our visits there. I remember Keith as someone of great wisdom and humor and I'm glad he was able to stay at his house and go to the Club as he had wished. We'll miss him."
"Should Old Acquaintance be forgot,and never thought upon;The flames of Love extinguished,and fully past and gone:Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,that loving Breast of thine;That thou canst never once reflecton Old long syne.CHORUS:On Old long syne my Jo,in Old long syne,That thou canst never once reflect,in Old long syne.My Heart is ravisht with delight,when thee I think upon;All Grief and Sorrow takes the flight,and speedily is gone;The bright resemblance of thy Face,so fills this, Heart of mine;That Force nor Fate can me displease,for Old long syne.CHORUS:For Old long syne my Jo,for Old long syneThat thou canst never once reflect,On Old long syne.Since thoughts of thee doth banish grief,when from thee I am gone;will not thy presence yield relief,to this sad Heart of mine:Why doth thy presence me defeat,with excellence divine?Especially when I reflecton Old long syneCHORUS:On old long syne my Jo,on Old long syne:That thou canst never once reflect,on Old long syne.Oh, then, Clorinda, prove more kind,be not ungratefull still:Since that my Heart ye have so ty'd,why shoud ye then it kill:Sure, Faith and Hope depend on thee,kill me not with disdain:Or else I swear I'll still reflecton Old long syne.CHORUS:On Old long syne my Jo,on Old long syne;I pray you do but once reflect,on Old long syne.Since you have rob'd me of my Heart;It`s reason I have yours;Which Madam Nature doth impart,to your black Eyes and Browes:With honour it doth not consist,to hold thy Slave in pain:Pray let thy rigour then resist,for Old long syne.CHORUS:For Old long syne my Jo,for Old long syne;That then canst never once reflect,on Old long syne.It is my freedom I do crave,by depracating pain;Since libertie ye will not give,who glories in his Chain:But yet I wish the gods to movethat noble Heart of thine;To pity since ye cannot love,for Old long syne.CHORUS:For Old long syne my Jo,for Old long syne;That thou may ever once reflect,on Old long syne.But since that nothing can prevailand all hopes are in vain;From these rejected Eyes of mine,still showers of Tears Shall rain:Though thou wast Rebel to the Kingand beat with Wind therein,Assure thy self of welcome Love,for Old long syne.CHORUS:For Old long syne my Jo,for Old long syne,Assure thy self of welcome Love,for Old long syne."