Michael Raymond Ruhland

MICHAEL, firstborn son of Ervin G. Ruhland and LaVerne M. Fodstad, was born at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. 77 years and 7 months later, in a private moment, MICHAEL died at his home in Half Moon Bay, CA. His only sibling, Sharon M. Ruhland, was awake, working online in the next room and recalls him saying some weeks previously: “I never thought it would be so hard to just slip away,” but that is exactly what he managed to do. No one was hovering, rending their garments, or even able to witness his very last breath. MICHAEL would probably dislike having an obituary, partly because he was a very private person and partly because of the obvious implication. But it should be said that ordinarily, his will to live was strong, his healthcare decisions were largely stoic and stubborn, and he was reasonable, persuadable and practical whenever necessary. Proof? In late August, when his COPD was worsening, he elected and then benefitted (for about 1.5 months) from a team of sensitive, professional caregivers provided by Sutter Care At Home Hospice. He also decided to take advantage of the CA vehicle retirement program for his 1989 Oldsmobile, completed October 4th. So what might be said about his family, his education, his work, his interests and talents? And, more deeply, what can be said about his character, his personality, his values, beliefs, and friendships? Something can be indicated, and something can be said, but anyone who knew MICHAEL would agree that only a sketch is possible, and anything more is necessarily elusive. Family: Despite the distances of time and place, MICHAEL was interested in his large extended family and years ago had started an online family tree via “Geni.” He readily volunteered advice to his sister on myriad matters, and did ultimately appreciate her presence and even helped when she moved to Half Moon Bay and became his neighbor and caregiver. He also enjoyed news of his one remaining maternal aunt, Bernice Rothstein, and his one remaining paternal uncle, George M. Ruhland (who came to visit in April 2016). Education: He was for it! Michael grew up in Minneapolis. His kindergarten teacher noted: “Michael…has a vivid imagination… is an earnest worker in music class…(and) listens attentively to stories and is always eager to take part in the dramatizations.” He went on to St. Anne’s parish grade school, began piano lessons, and became an altar boy. De La Salle High School and U of M followed. In retirement he attended San Mateo Community College, in CA. Work: NWA (Reservation Agent then Customer Service Agent in Miami and San Francisco) from December 1964 – January 1995. “Though he tried to hide it, those who worked with him saw his charm and wit.”(Quote on retirement plaque.) He also bestowed amusing and memorable nicknames on his colleagues. After NWA retirement, he worked part time at the Half Moon Bay Library for 10 years. His Library co-workers noted: “Michael was a favorite of mine, for underneath that acerbic exterior was a very decent person, good citizen, and staunch liberal. And the acerbic exterior was very, very funny.” “He had an uncanny knack for knowing when we had chocolate available in the staff kitchen.” Interests, talents, memberships: As NWA employee, Michael was a member of the Air Transport Employees local AFL-CIO union. He took advantage of the travel perks, was an avid reader, and made maximum use of his old iMac computer to the end. His piano and electric organ were prized possessions; he enjoyed San Francisco Opera with friends; he had longtime memberships in the California Academy of Sciences and Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; he patronized the Coastal Repertory Theater; he watched PBS dramas, cooking shows, documentaries; he LOVED Half Moon Bay and pumpkins; he mercilessly taunted those who had the misfortune to live elsewhere, whether in colder climates or even in Los Angeles! He adapted to the financial stresses imposed by expensive Rx’s but noted that, despite working and saving for so many years, it was sadly surprising to find frugality became so necessary. (He loved quoting Dicken’s character, Mr. Micawber, in David Copperfield regarding the happiness of one whose expenditures are below one’s annual income versus the misery of one whose expenditures exceed their annual income.) MICHAEL also enjoyed the Monterey Aquarium, Disneyland and Mickey Mouse imagery. Also, somewhat surprisingly, he seemed to have a thing for those classic decorative (“cute”) ceramic angels. His sister wonders if he sometimes thought of St Michael the Archangel, his patron since birth? And did he ever suspect how much his own life impacted others? And how awesome that he overcame his personal struggles and found his strengths in a world of people and places, of friends and fortunes at once challenging and “most amusing.” As one longtime friend wrote, “MICHAEL, I know you are resting in peace. I appreciated your solid friendship and your entertaining wit and outlook on life…You lived your 77 years as a dignified, intelligent and thoughtful citizen. I was lucky to know you.” MICHAEL, may the angels lead you into Paradise, may the martyrs receive you at your coming, and take you to Jerusalem, the holy city. May the choirs of Angels receive you, and may you, with the once poor Lazarus, have rest everlasting. Amen. Cremation arranged through the Neptune Society of Northern California, Belmont. Private burial at Assumption Cemetery, Eden Valley, MN. Memorials to ones own preferred charity.