Edmund R. “Ed” Ruoff, 21

Edmund (Ed) R. Ruoff passed away on Wednesday, 21 August, 2008 at Luther Manor in Lititz, PA after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  He was 79 years old and is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ingrid Olson Ruoff.  Ed was born in Philadelphia on July 29, 1929, to Edmund F. Ruoff and Florence Sohn.

Ed was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lancaster, PA.
“For me, the source of life lies in the word of God. To the extent I respond to the word, I find I am renewed and I grow.”  Ed Ruoff – 1982 in an interview about his work with affordable housing.

Ed graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1952 with a degree in Civil Engineering.   His first job was with American Bridge Division of U.S. Steel in Elmira, New York.  In February, 1954, Ed enlisted in the U. S. Navy’s OCS in Newport, Rhode Island. He was assigned to the Air Navy division in Jacksonville, Florida flying with AEW Squadron 4 (Hurricane Hunters) out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.  He finished his active duty in August, 1957, as a navigator in the AEW Squadron II stationed in Patuxant River NAS and flying out of Argentina, Newfoundland.

Ed then worked for Cities Service Oil Company in Philadelphia and received his MBA from Temple University in 1964.  Ed was elected to the National Honor Society – Beta Gamma Sigma for academic excellence in Business Curriculum.

In 1964 Ed took a job with the Sico Company in Mount Joy, PA, where he became Director of Marketing.  He and his family moved to Manheim Township in 1965.   From 1968 to 1970 Ed and his wife, Ingrid, owned and operated a popular teen dance club named Hullabaloo.

The family moved to Lancaster City in 1986.  Ed belonged to many community and national organizations, HARB ADULT, LAVORP, NAACP, ACLU, The Urban League of Lancaster County, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Doctors Without Borders, Crispus Attucks, Planned Parenthood, Historic Preservation Trust, South East Lancaster Health Services, Union of Concerned Scientists, and was a charter member of Common Cause.  He served as President of ECON, a non-profit organization helping minorities start their own business.  When the DID (Downtown Investment District) was formed in the City of Lancaster he served on the initial board as treasurer.  He was also General Partner of Two Two Four Associates, the owner of the building housing the Chameleon Nightclub until 2005.

As a longtime member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Lancaster, Ed served on vestry, taught Sunday School and was an occasional teacher in the adult forum.  Former pastor Dr. Wallace Fisher wrote to Ed on his 60^th birthday to say; “Your contributions as an intelligent worshipper, competent evangelist, thoroughly-prepared school teacher, realistic advocate for social justice, and imaginative vestryman enriched you, your family, and Trinity Church.”

As a result of serving on the housing sub-committee of Trinity Church, studying the shortage of housing for lower income people, he became part of the original Board of Directors of the not-for profit company, Housing Development Corporation (HDC) formed in 1971. He served on the Board and eventually was hired as President and CEO in 1976.  HDC grew from its beginning of 2 employees to over 100 by the end of Ed’s 23-year tenure  HDC had become nationally recognized as one of the top producers of affordable housing in the country, producing over 2300 units of housing throughout Lancaster, Lebanon, Berks and Chester counties. After retirement in 1998 he continued to serve on the HDC board until 2000.

Ed was elected to Lancaster City Council in 1993 opting to resign because of possible conflict of interest with the work of HDC in the city.  After retirement he ran for Mayor and volunteered for various services through AARP.

In addition to his wife, Ingrid, Ed is survived by his children, Carol L. Perrington, married to David P. Perrington of Rehoboth, DE; Karl F. Ruoff, married to Kathy Skidis of St. Louis, MO; and Richard E. Ruoff, married to Claudia Roberts Ruoff of Lancaster; grandchildren, Aubrey Perrington, Rachel Perrington Wells (John), Jason Skidis (Connie),Alexander, Pierce and Brandon Ruoff and two great grandchildren, Sydney and Zoe Skidis.

Friends are invited to attend Ed’s memorial service on Tuesday, August 26, 2008  at 11AM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 31 S. Duke St., Lancaster, PA 17602. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to his favorite charity, the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104. Arrangements by the Charles Snyder Funeral Home and Chapel, Lititz  560-5100. To send an online condolence, please visit www.snyderfuneralhome.com