We wanted to thank everyone for all the kind words and showing of sympathy. The support has been overwhelming.  Rick was truly loved by all.  He will be greatly missed.

Dawn,  Mary and I are so sad to hear about Rick's passing.  All those years at UCH, he always had a smile and good things to say.  Mary and I are praying for his soul and for you and Allison.  God Bless you and Allison and give you strength and comfort during this most difficult time.

It was such a shock to hear of Rick's passing. He was a dear Brandon High School friend that was kind to everyone he encountered. I have and will continue to pray for the family at this difficult time.

Dawn, God bless you and Allison during this difficult time. I had the pleasure of working with Rick at UCH  for over 15 years. He was always kind and sincere. He could always be counted on to be anywhere that the hospital needed pictures or media services. He will be greatly missed.  Sincerely, Debi

Dawn and family,
 I am so sorry for your loss.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
From Si Intravichit & family,
Dawn colleague from All Children's Hospitlal

In my 13 years at UCH, my ofice was right next to Rick's for many of those years.  The four of us in the office got to know each other really well.  He loved what he was doing and it showed in the quality of his work, his enthusiam and overall feel good vibe that he carried everywhere with him. He probably took every single employee's photo at some point. He touched so many peoples lives and brought joy through his photography. He leaves behind a legacy of memories that can never be forgotten. Rick was a great friend and I will miss him dearly.

I was so sad to hear of Rick's passing.  Like so many of us, Rick and I grew up at UCH.  I left and returned after a number of years and one of the welcoming faces was Rick.  He was very professional but in a casual, friendly way.  He was one of the wonderful people that made UCH a "family" .  My thoughts and prayers go out to Dawn and family.  You will be greatly missed.
Dave Buchinsky, New Port Richey

Rick was a great guy.  We worked together for many years at UCH. He will be saddly missed by his UCH family and friends. My thoughts and prays go out to his family.

Rick is a good man and friend of 40 years. We met in 1975 in our first year of college at Daytona Beach in the photography program there. Rick's passion for photography carried throughout his life. Rick was the wedding photographer for me and my starter wife in 1980. I am a photo school drop out but Rick never held this against me.

We laughed recently remembering the time I poured a beer on him the day he was on the way to meet Dawn's parents for the first time. Maybe he should have poured one on me before I met my first wife's parents? No, I know Rick and Dawn had a much better stick together secret than that.

Rick and I were roommates in the 2nd year of college and worked at the Stewart Treatment Center in the detox unit for alcoholics from the streets of Daytona Beach. We smiled ironically about all the times we were nursing our college kid hangovers while at work. detoxing with the boys as it were.

I went to my first ever Bob Dylan concert with Rick when the Rolling Thunder Review came through Orlando in 1976 (I've been to 17 more BD concerts since). Rick snuck his camera in and got a great shot of the master at the microphone. An 8x10 B&W of this image graces one of the shelves in my Bob Dylan room at home to this day.

Although I have lived in Alaska for the last 30 years, Rick and I have stayed in touch. We traded notes and shared the joys and terror of fatherhood:) In 2001, Rick, Dawn, and Allison travelled to Alaska and we had a great outing together with my oldest daughter Sarah. Last year, Rick and Dawn and my wife and our youngest daughter Melissa had a great visit and time together in Orlando.

I miss my friend and am consoled in knowing he has only preceded us.

Rick, I know you are watching over Dawn and Allison.

And please, do what you can to help them damned Seminoles!

Goodbye for now my friend.

He was a rarity, a truly excellent person.  I met him in 1989 at UCH and we did life together along with our families and friends as people do when they like and respect each other.  My sympathy and prayers go out to Dawn, Allison and Mrs. Ruge.

Dawn and Ally my thoughts and prayers are with you. This opened the flood gates of memories of the girls, Rick taking them to concerts etc. Bigs hugs to you both.

Dear Dawn and Allison,
Our hearts are deeply saddened by your loss.  Rick was much too young.  He will be greatly missed.

We will always remember Zoofari, Christmas parties, End the Mystery and all the wonderful photography.

We pray for your comfort and peace.  May the love of family and friends sustain you during this difficult time.

Love, 
Elliott & Dianne Steele

I was so saddened to hear of the loss of Rick, he was such a wonderful person. Some of my favorite memories of Rick was talking with him about the cruises he went on, he seemed to always get the best deal.  Thoughts go out to his family and many friends.

Sending my condolences to the Ruge family...Rick was a kind and talented man that I had the pleasure of working with at UCH/FHTampa....he will be greatly missed.

My heart is saddened and broke to hear of Ricks passing. He was a long time friend and a joy to work with all those years at UCH. He was one of the most kind and thoughtful persons I have come to know and he will be missed. Thoughts and prayers for him and his family.

I was absolutely saddened to hear of Rick's passing.  I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the Ruge Family

I was a supervisor in housekeeping at UCH for 28 years.  I worked with Rick on many functions, events and we attended several meetings together.   He always showed professionalism.  Rick was highly respected at UCH. I especially remember his gentle spirit and honesty.  Those attributes will always be remembered as an especially giving person of great character.

My thoughts and prayers to the Ruge family.

Rick! I loved you, guy! I enjoyed seeing you every time I did. Your smile and joking were great. We shared the same thoughts about where we worked for decades at UCH-good and bad. One of the bad was when you left UCH. I hated it. You will be remembered in our family for you and Dan putting all of the hours of the tapes of our family onto CD's. I know you enjoyed that. You did a great job at your work. You are gone way too soon!

My memories of Rick will include his kindness and sweet smile.  He was part of the truly beautiful, caring team that comprised the UCH family.

I worked with Rick for many years at UCH as well.  I loved to hear his stories about all his travels with Dawn and Allison, and the interesting places they would visit.  He had the patience of a saint and when he was helping you with a task (learning power point or about your new camera), he never talked down to you or treated you like you were dumb.  As everyone who has written in this book knows Rick was a wonderful person.  He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.  Dawn & Allison, The rough times are still a head with his birthday and the holidays coming but I hope it gives you some comfort to know he never met a stranger, only friends he hadn't met yet.  Good bless you.

I worked with Rick for many years at UCH and my thoughts and prayers are with his family. Rick was a kind and wonderful man and I enjoyed working with him. God Bless him and his family.

I am saddened to learn of Rick's passing. I have known him a very long time. A prayer for peace and comfort for his family during this season of loss.

I was so sad to  read of Rick's passing this morning.  Dawn and Allison, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

I was a secretary in the Education Department at UCH in the 1980's and worked closely with Rick every day. He always made me laugh; always had a funny joke or story and never failed to have a smile on his face.

I left UCH in 1989 and many, many years later I ran into Rick at UCH while visiting my Mother. He was still the same great guy I had known years before! He will be greatly missed by many.

Rest in peace, my dear friend.

Rick was such a wonderful person.  It is hard to imagine a world without him.  My prayers for Dawn, Allison and Mrs. Ruge.

Jane Shima Nichols

It was heartbreaking to learn of Rick's passing and my sincerest sympathies go out to Dawn, Allison, family and friends. Rick was one of the first people I had the pleasure of getting to know when I became a UCH employee in 1990 and thankfully our friendship endured. He thoroughly enjoyed sharing his knowledge and was always eager to teach. Many times he appeared to enjoy what he was doing so much it didn't seem like work but rather a gentleman doing what he loved with people he truly cared for. He was a man of good character and the list of his positive qualities is lengthy: professional, dedicated, kind, thoughtful, patient and funny to mention a few. He sure loved to laugh! Everyone can be comforted by their own fond memories to be cherished.  Rick Ruge will be missed so very much.

My sincere condolences to Rick's wife and family.  I worked with Rick at UCH when I was the Infection Control Program Manager.  He was truly one of the nicest people I ever met.  He was always helpful with anything media-related and made a huge difference in the education of of the staff and employees.  He also was very quick with a joke and it was always a joy to see and work with.  I have nothing but happy memories about Rick.

So very sad to hear Rick has passed. My heartfelt condolences to Dawn, Allison and family. I worked with Rick for many years at UCH on a variety of patient education projects. He was a wonderful person and very skilled at his profession. He was a pleasure to know. Loved his family and his work. May he rest in peace.

May the love of all Rick's friends and your family carry you through this time of mourning and grief. 

I was so fortunate to know Rick over the course of 15 years at the hospital. We worked together on many great employee/leadership events.  He was a true professional and when things got crazy he never lost his cool.  His friendship will forever be remembered by his UCH family.

I worked with Rick in the ER when he was 18 years old. I saw him grow into a fine young man, then husband and father. He was dedicated and always did his very best to assure that his product was perfect. He went above and beyond and we had such great times. He will be missed, and we are all sad at his passing. Prayers for Dawn and Allison and family. May he rest in peace. Mary and Jimmy Whillock

Rick was one of the first team members I got to know at UCH over 24 years ago.  He was there for so many memorable events at UCH. He would always go out of his way to help us. He had such talent for photography and putting together special DVD's.   Prayers go out to Rick's family.  What a special man who touched so many of us deeply.

When I heard Rick passed away - My head went spinning - So many thoughts went through my head it was a Carousel of nothing but good times, serious times, laughter, and like so many have voiced and documented he never ever said a bad thing about anyone or anything. I wish I had such traits - Thanks for all you did not only for me but everyone that knew you - my heart is also with a great family - God Bless

I am so saddened by this news. 

I had the pleasure of working with Rick for 15 years at UCH. Rick was definitely one of the good guys. He was talented at his profession, easy to work with and laugh with, creative, and always willing to share his talents to help others be successful.  Through the years, he helped me with presentations, creating videos, annual management retreats and special projects.  One example of his work was photographing the children of our employees for a series of noise reduction posters that hung in the hospital for years. This was one of many, many ways he contributed to that organization. 

I am grateful to have known Rick as a colleague and friend. Dawn - my deepest sympathy to you, Allison, and the rest of your family.

My deepest sympathies to Dawn, Allison and family.
I have nothing but sweet memories of Rick.  
In high school we shared the love of photography. 
 He always kind and giving, a sweet sweet soul.

I was so sad to hear of Rick's passing, I enjoyed working with him in the 80's at UCH, he was great to work with and fun to be around, I have many happy memories of those times. My sincere condolences to his family.

My deepest condolences to Dawn, Allison and the entire family.

Rick was a good man and a better friend. We worked together at UCH and I will always remember him as a dedicated and consciencious worker. In all the time I've known Rick, I never saw him get angry. He kept his emotions pretty much to himself. I think he was a very private person. But I know he loved his wife and daughter more than anything in this world. He made no secret of that. Rick would do anything he could to help someone who needed help. He was giving and unselfish and a great person to be around. I will miss him as will many who knew him or worked with him.

Rest in eternal peace my friend.

My sincere condolences to Dawn and Allison and the rest of Rick's family.

Rick was a good man and a better friend. I managed a small department at UCH and Rick with his wing man Dan, in Media Services, were part of my team, along with Teresia and Jim. 

I never saw Rick lose his temper or treat anyone with anything less than the greatest respect and kindness. He reported to me, but he didn't need me to manage him. He was conscientious and self-directed. He always did his very best to satisfy all the demands that came his way - and there were many. 

I will never forget Rick. He is indelibly etched in my memory as a kind and gentle soul who could never do enough for anyone needing his help. May you rest in eternal peace my friend.

I worked with Rick for almost 32 years. He was kind and always helpful. I could not have done my job without him. When I was hired at UCH, Rick was 23. He was a friend and always dependable. To Dawn and Allison, I am deeply sorry.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

I worked with Rick for many years at the UCH Marketing Department. He was always helpful and a good listener. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

So so sorry. Rick was one of the first people I met at UCH when I started there 20 years ago. A great guy and a great friend. Many great memories

Dear Dawn and Family:
Having known Rick for over 40 years, the realization that he's gone is such a devastating loss.  

I will forever remember the twinkle in his eye and the gift he had for making friends wherever he went.

My heartfelt condolences to you and your daughter.

Warm Regards -
Jayne

So sorry to hear of Rick's passing.  He was a great person and I enjoyed working with him at UCH.  Sending prayers.

It had to be in the early to mid 70's.  My nephew Rick and I went camping together. It was a wet rainy day and we left the campground in the midst of a rain storm driving though deep standing water several times and almost stalling out. Then we came to high ground, the engine still missing. Rick said Uncle Merrill if you will pop the hood I can dry the ignition points. I popped the hood and Rick showed me how it was done.  I was very impressed at Ricks competence at this task at such a young age.  Merrill Friend (Tampa, Florida)

So very sorry for your loss. I pray all the happy memories bring you peace in the coming days. I remember Rick and his silly ways from many years ago at UCH

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

OBITUARY

Rick Emerson Ruge

November 27, 1957 – October 18, 2015

Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens

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