I was just thinking about Carol a couple of days ago and how gifted she was as an anesthesiologist. Took care of  our precious Michael when he had his brain biopsy and invited me to come in and be with him till he went to sleep. The pain of death in this world never really goes away. We just learn to keep functioning in spite of it. My prayers continue for all of you that God will continue to strengthen and uphold each of you in your LIFE journey 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💜

Memories pop up on Facebook and today Carol shining bright racing cyclocross in the snow at National Championships. Go go go!

Carol always raced with heart ❤️.   I loved watching her race.  She never gave up, and fought to the end, just like in life.  I will miss her dearly.  She had the kindest soul.

I first met Carol in 1988, when I moved back to California to be near family.  We bonded quickly over our love for bicycles and bicycle racing.  I think our passions were very similar on the bike.  Train, race and most of all have fun.  We joined the same race team, Tri-City Velo back in 1989 and raced together on different teams until she became pregnant with David in 1992.  I always loved training with her, she pushed me on the climbs, and in criteriums she was the best lead out I could ask for.  I remember once at a stage race in Williams Arizona back in 1990 called “Man Against Machine”.  We took the train from Williams Arizona to the Grand Canyon then raced the train back to Williams.  It was really hot that day and I went through my water rather quickly.  Well Carol could see that I was feeling good in the road raced and she handed me her bottle for a drink.  When I tried to give it back to her she said, “No, you take it, I’m done, I’ll do my best to block.”  So as I was thinking about it, a girl from another team took off, and I went, still holding the bottle in my hand, I took off with her.  Long story short I almost won my first road race that day, but as far as Carol was concerned I did.  I got 2nd,  but Carol  was so happy for me even though I felt like I let her down.  That was Carol.  She was always so supportive, kind and thoughtful.  We had many fun times racing over the years, but family came first.  We tried to get together and ride as much as we could, but then I had two daughters.  As my girls got older she kept encouraging me to get them into cyclocross.  I thought it was a crazy discipline, until I finally took her up on it.  She was at the first race my girls did and in her calm way told them about cyclocross and talked them through it.  It was so sweet of her, and my girls respected and adored her from that day on back in 2011.  They did many races together, and Carol was always a supportive, calming affect on my daughters.  We will miss her.

May your heart and souls find peace and comfort. Dear Dr. Ruckle, David and family. My heart was so sad when I heard of Carol passing. Getting to know Carol through the years of working, graduations, and seeing her out riding she was a good person. And knowing what she went through, and showed courage, she was a brave person. Reading her biography, there was so much she accomplished I did not know. What a wonderful wife and mother. Your memories will live on, and your love will always remain.

I will remember Carol’s love for biking,  skiing, and most of all her family.  David, she was so happy to share your wedding photos with me.  Carol never complained and was so matter of fact about her health.  I will miss our annual catch up.  My prayers are with your family. 

I am so sorry to hear of Carol's passing.  I remember her so well from Orangewood and other family gatherings.  Carol was a kind, gentle, funny, and loving person.  I am saying my prayers to her family, because I know she is dearly missed.  

https://incarolsmemory.wordpress.com/

Please visit Carol’s memorial site here. 

Marti and I were so sorry to hear about the passing of Mrs. Ruckle. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to Dr. Ruckle and family. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. 

Tom Hendrix

Dr. Lau will always be dear to me. I loved socializing and working with her. She was  so pleasant, kind, and caring towards her patients and her colleagues. I pray that she is resting in peace, in a better place. My heart and prayers are with all her family and friends. May we all heal from her great loss. 💗

I am so very sorry to hear of her passing. Dr Lau was one of the people who showed me the joys of pediatric anesthesia, and I’m so lucky to have learned from her at Loma Linda. My deepest condolences to her family and friends. 

Dr. Ruckle,

I am so sorry for your loss.  My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

Dr. Lau was one of the most kind and gentle people and was an excellent teacher.   

With sympathy,
Sandra Lee

Herb and family, we are so saddened by this news.  We are praying for you and your family and hope that as you remember her in the days, weeks and months to come that it will be a sweet time for you all.  We realize there are no words that are adequate.  So we simply say we care and are thinking of you.  We only met Carol once, but knew of the love her colleagues, patients and family had for her.
 Much love, Eric and Darlene 

Dear Herb,

I can't imagine what you and the rest of your family are feeling with Carol's death a mere three days ago, but I know the grief must be so deep and raw.

As your classmate I would love to be able to give you a hug, which just isn't possible in the midst of COVID, so am sending a virtual one.

As the Alumni Association President, I can say with confidence that all of us within the AA community share your sorrow.  We are ever grateful for the loving care Carol provided to her patients over the decades as an anesthesiologist.  She exemplified  excellence in being God's hands in the world.

Praying that you may concretely feel the presence of God in your lives during this difficult time,

Deb Stottlemyer

Dr. Lau was our hero. Her calm and steadfast command of pediatric anesthesiology inspired us to better anesthesiologists. Her kindness, joy and sense of humor made us better people. She will forever have a lasting impression in all of our hearts. Our deepest condolences to the Ruckle Family. Much love, LLU Anesthesiology- Class of 2014 (Alison Kruger-A'Court, Matthew Newbern, Peter Jin, Matt Matiko, Gunjan Kumar, Ioana Pasca, Jeffrey Ching, Brent Barker, Mike Benggon, Nikan Khatibi, Derek Herra, Jake Uhler, John Wang, Sarah Cano, and Minhthy Meineke)

Carol was my inspiration to do peds anesthesia.  I have more memories in the OR with her than I could possibly recount.  She was always the voice of calm!  I adored her!!!  My favorite outside memory was doing a mini triathlon with her.  My heart hurts!  Her memory will always be a blessing!!!!

OBITUARY

Carol Ann Lau Ruckle

January 14, 1953 – October 3, 2020

Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary

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