Mr. Robert “ Bob” Nyal Ruehlen, Sr. age 92 passed away Tuesday 8/16/2011 at The Gardens of Taylor Glen.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday at Central United Methodist Church with Rev. Andy Langford officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Coltrane Room at the church. Mr. Ruehlen was born December 17, 1918 in Pawnee County, KS, son of the late Forrest Wade Ruehlen and Kathryn Bauer Ruehlen.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Susan R. Sexton, 2 sisters, 4 brothers and a great-grandson. Bob attended Fort Hays State College for 2 years before enlisting in the Army Air Corp in January 1942. He served with the engineers for six months and then was transferred to the AAF in July, 1942 as a liaison pilot. During his military career, he obtained numerous metals including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Oak Leaf Cluster. He obtained the rank of Master Sergeant.
While in the service he was stationed briefly at Morris Field in Charlotte, where he met Margaret Sue Warren of Concord. They dated until Bob was sent overseas and their courtship continued mostly through letters. When he returned from the war July 2, 1945, he and Sue were married on July 6th. They moved to Chapel Hill where Bob finished his education and in 1948 graduated from the University of North Carolina. In 1978, he founded Ruehlen Supply, a family owned business that is still operating today, by his sons. He was an active member of Central United Methodist Church. He was also active in the community and served on several boards. Bob’s greatest love and pride was his family.
Survivors include his loving and faithful wife of 66 years, Sue Warren Ruehlen; sons, Robert Ruehlen, Jr. and wife, Leigh Ann, Phillip Ruehlen and wife, Sharon and Resat Say and wife, JoAnn, all of Concord; grandchildren, Rebecca, Nyal, Robert, Eric, Sarah, Maggie, Katherine, Matt, Chris, Amanda, Lara, John and Brandon; great-grandsons, Timmy and Ben; sister, Phyllis Neidig of Witchita, KS; brothers, Lane Ruehlen of Topeka, KS and Marvin Ruehlen of Larned, KS; numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 7506 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28227 or to Central United Methodist Church, 30 Union Street N., Concord, NC 28025.