Eugene Charles Ruzicka

Eugene Charles Ruzicka, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend, passed away in his sleep on July 6, 2025, at his home in Liberty, Missouri. Gene grew up on the west side of Springfield with his older sister, Kathryn, and his two younger brothers, Mick and Bob. What his childhood home lacked in amenities (indoor bathroom) it made up for with an acre of land on which his mother grew an abundant garden and where Gene and his brothers all developed a lifelong love of baseball and softball. He attended St. Joseph Elementary and Middle School and St. Agnes Regional High School.

Gene continued his education at St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, KS but soon made his way back to Springfield to finish his degree at Southwest Missouri State and to be with his high-school sweetheart, Kathy. They were married on June 24, 1967 at St. Agnes Cathedral and spent the rest of their lives together, perfecting their recipe for homemade onion rings and growing a large and loving family that he always “thoroughly enjoyed,” in his parlance.

Shortly after they married, Gene and Kathy spent a year in Kansas City, working and training and partying hard with some of the Kansas City Chiefs and newly formed Royals team, before setting off on a decades-long adventure around the country having babies and making friends.

From Tulsa to Houston to Connecticut to Springfield, Gene filled whatever home he was in with good humor and a distinct, infectious laugh (and children). His particular brand of humor involved inventing elaborate acronyms (PDG, or Pretty Dang Good) and replying definitively to questions for which he had no earthly answer. “Seven more miles” is now the standard family response to “How much longer?”

When he was not working one of often several jobs at a time, he managed to find time for woodworking. Most projects were either functional (replacing the ceiling that had just leaked through, making a decorative wall with shake-shingles donated from the local HOA) or child-oriented (handmade wooden puzzles, ornaments, swinging wooden horses).

After retirement, he and Kathy moved to Hollister, MO where they lived their dream as regular golfers and religious Liverpool Legends groupies. Eventually they moved to Liberty, Missouri, a mile away from their daughter, Kelley, and grandchildren. They traveled everywhere they could, making the circuit to visit their children and grandchildren in Springfield, St. Louis, Spokane, WA, and Houston, TX, visiting multiple National Parks, and taking a white-knuckle driving trip along the cliffs of Ireland with their daughter, Kate, which brought Gene some of his most cherished memories, despite his fear of heights.

Gene loved many, many things, including the beach, Silver Dollar City, sunrise and sunset, The Beatles, taking meticulous notes, reading, good food, the St. Louis Cardinals, dancing, Christmas decorations, holding babies, being with his family and, most of all, Kathy. As far as his family knows, the only things he hated were tomatoes and peppers.

Gene was a miraculously good-natured and patient human, with a Catholic faith that strengthened his natural generosity throughout his life. He served as an altar boy, lector, Eucharistic Minister, food-hander-outer, habitat humanitarian, golf tournament savant, amateur van mechanic, baseball scorekeeping teacher and human jungle gym, among countless other roles. His life is a model of service. Whether you’d known him since grade school or just met him across a brewery bar or church pew, his presence had a potent calming effect. There are few who gave and received love so purely.

He is preceded in death by his grandson, Leo Ruzicka (July 18, 2018); sister, Kathryn Ruzicka (May 24, 1961); brother, Mick Ruzicka (May 26, 2025); father, Alois Ruzicka (January 18, 1986) and mother, Emma (Francka) Ruzicka (May 28, 2015). He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathleen Ruzicka; his brother, Bob Ruzicka (Laura); sister-in-law, Denise Ruzicka (Mick); brother-in-law, Dennis Corrigan (Vicki); their incredible children; and his own children, Chris, Katy, Pat, Kelley, Andy, Mark and Tony; their spouses; and 14 grandchildren, along with many more family and friends he was always delighted to see. He never failed to show appreciation for the small joys of shared time. Words of thanks, awe, and love were on his lips in his final hours.

There will be two services held in honor of Gene. The first will take place on Friday, July 18th at 11AM at St. James Catholic Church, 309 S Stewart Rd, Liberty, MO 64068 with lunch immediately following. The second will be held on Monday, July 21st at 10AM at St. Agnes Cathedral, 533 S Jefferson, Springfield MO 65806. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately after at the Springfield Brewing Company in downtown Springfield. Please donate to World Central Kitchen, in lieu of flowers.