Eugen "Gene" Hermann Rüegg

Eugen “Gene” Ruegg, born January 2nd, 1940, in Baden, Switzerland, to Herman and Sophie Ruegg, was the third of their children. His early life, shaped by the period of World War II, led him to complete an apprenticeship as a mechanic and later pursue a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, fueled by a desire to join the burgeoning high-tech industry and the American space race. He taught himself English by listening to American radio.

In 1967, Gene immigrated to the United States to begin his engineering career at General Electric's Power Line Carrier plant in Lynchburg, Virginia. He went on to have a long and distinguished career, working on cutting-edge circuitry, fiber optics, and missile systems, and held several patents. He later enjoyed his work at AT&T and several other tech companies.

A proud naturalized U.S. citizen, Gene embodied the American Dream. He was well-known for his well-mannered, honest, and soft-spoken nature, as well as his dry sense of humor, often having a limerick for every occasion.

Gene married Marlen Fernandez Dequito, a nurse from the Philippines, and together they raised two sons, Mark and Michael. As a young father, he bought a 13-acre farm in Virginia, clearing the land to build his dream home, which he proudly called "paradise." He was an active father, serving as a Boy Scout leader who incorporated unique engineering projects into troop meetings.

His hobbies included a lifelong love of music—playing the trombone, and later the drums and jazz. He was a keen hunter, an avid Hurricanes fan after moving to North Carolina, and enjoyed spending nights outdoors observing the heavens through a telescope.

Following his retirement in 2007, Gene and Marlen developed a passion for travel. They spent every January for ten years in Waikiki, Hawaii, and also enjoyed regular trips to Maggie Valley, Asheville, and various spots in Florida.

Gene was blessed with a long, productive life and was a proud member of Greenwood Baptist Church.

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy can be left by clicking the "Add a Memory" box below. Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the Ruegg family.