Obituary for Bruce Arthur Rucks
Bruce Arthur Rucks, 90, passed away December 15, 2019 at Amita Health Alexian Brothers Hospice Residence in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
Bruce was born May 26, 1929 in Amarillo, Texas, the son of Walter A. and Ethel (Burdick) Rucks. He graduated from Proviso Township High School in 1947.
Bruce met his wife of 66 years, Beverly Hedwig Frega, in high school and they were later married on November 24, 1949, in Maywood, Illinois. Bruce and Beverly lived in unincorporated Schaumburg Township since 1957 and raised their family there.
Bruce began his lifetime career in 1949 as a lineman at Public Service Company of Northern Illinois. During his tenure, that company merged with Commonwealth Edison. After 1970, Bruce was a manager in the Elgin division until his retirement in 1992.
Bruce loved being outdoors. He enjoyed hunting pheasants in rural Cook County and in South Dakota. Another pastime was fishing for bass and bluegill on Long Lake, Wisconsin, and for walleye in Canada. When he and Beverly wintered in Sun Lakes, Arizona, he spent time helping physically challenged children learn how to fish.
He was very proud of being the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, marble champion as a kid in the eighth grade. When his two oldest boys were kids, he was in the Maywood Men’s softball league. He hit a softball over the church for a home run while significant bets were being placed.
They traveled to Hawaii, Morocco, Spain, Alaska, China, and cruised through the Panama Canal. They especially enjoyed seeing the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.
There were many other hobbies that he enjoyed: woodworking, electrical wiring, bird watching, gardening in Elk Grove Village, and planting and nurturing his fruit trees in Arizona. He attended his children’s and grandchildren’s sports events. He wouldn’t miss a Thursday breakfast in Elgin with his ComEd retired buddies.
Bruce was preceded in death by both his parents and his wife, Beverly; his older brother Walter G. Rucks, and his younger sister Ruth (Rucks) Cornelius. Survivors include his four children, Bruce K. (Susan) Rucks of Elgin, Brian L. (Donna) Rucks of Itasca, Bonnie S. Rucks (the late Norman C. Metz) of Northbrook, and Barry A. Rucks of Philadelphia; grandchildren Bruce J. (Lindy) Rucks, Melissa S. (Sean) Tuftedal, Steven M. (Jodi) Rucks, Alexa Beverly Metz Rucks; nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private family memorial service will be held to honor both Bruce and Beverly Rucks. Burial will be at Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, Illinois.
Condolences may be sent to the family at Countryside Funeral Home & Crematory at www.countrysidefuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, please mail donations in the name of Bruce Arthur Rucks to Saxeville Springwater Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 8, Saxeville, WI 54976
Bruce was born May 26, 1929 in Amarillo, Texas, the son of Walter A. and Ethel (Burdick) Rucks. He graduated from Proviso Township High School in 1947.
Bruce met his wife of 66 years, Beverly Hedwig Frega, in high school and they were later married on November 24, 1949, in Maywood, Illinois. Bruce and Beverly lived in unincorporated Schaumburg Township since 1957 and raised their family there.
Bruce began his lifetime career in 1949 as a lineman at Public Service Company of Northern Illinois. During his tenure, that company merged with Commonwealth Edison. After 1970, Bruce was a manager in the Elgin division until his retirement in 1992.
Bruce loved being outdoors. He enjoyed hunting pheasants in rural Cook County and in South Dakota. Another pastime was fishing for bass and bluegill on Long Lake, Wisconsin, and for walleye in Canada. When he and Beverly wintered in Sun Lakes, Arizona, he spent time helping physically challenged children learn how to fish.
He was very proud of being the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, marble champion as a kid in the eighth grade. When his two oldest boys were kids, he was in the Maywood Men’s softball league. He hit a softball over the church for a home run while significant bets were being placed.
They traveled to Hawaii, Morocco, Spain, Alaska, China, and cruised through the Panama Canal. They especially enjoyed seeing the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.
There were many other hobbies that he enjoyed: woodworking, electrical wiring, bird watching, gardening in Elk Grove Village, and planting and nurturing his fruit trees in Arizona. He attended his children’s and grandchildren’s sports events. He wouldn’t miss a Thursday breakfast in Elgin with his ComEd retired buddies.
Bruce was preceded in death by both his parents and his wife, Beverly; his older brother Walter G. Rucks, and his younger sister Ruth (Rucks) Cornelius. Survivors include his four children, Bruce K. (Susan) Rucks of Elgin, Brian L. (Donna) Rucks of Itasca, Bonnie S. Rucks (the late Norman C. Metz) of Northbrook, and Barry A. Rucks of Philadelphia; grandchildren Bruce J. (Lindy) Rucks, Melissa S. (Sean) Tuftedal, Steven M. (Jodi) Rucks, Alexa Beverly Metz Rucks; nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private family memorial service will be held to honor both Bruce and Beverly Rucks. Burial will be at Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, Illinois.
Condolences may be sent to the family at Countryside Funeral Home & Crematory at www.countrysidefuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, please mail donations in the name of Bruce Arthur Rucks to Saxeville Springwater Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 8, Saxeville, WI 54976