Robert "Bob" G. Ruff

Bob was born on June 10th, 1936, to Harry and Pauline Ruff on his great grandmother's kitchen table where the doctor showed up drunk. Bob joined the army at 17 and was a veteran of the Korean War. He later traveled across the United States and discovered a love for spicy food while living out west. He would eventually make his way to Kentucky and stop here with a bad toothache before deciding “this place was as good as any.” It’s here that he would meet his late wife Phyllis. He was known as the cool dad to his kids' friends. Bob worked in Insurance for a large part of his life but would retire as a maintenance man as he sure could fix anything.

Bob had season tickets to UofL football games and loved to tailgate. The Denver Broncos were still his favorite team, even though they never would respond to his emails that they needed a new coach. He started a 3rd career at 83, raising and racing thoroughbred horses with his son. He spent time at the barn watching his horses while his son did all the work. He went to breakfast and lunch often with his grandson-in-law, with whom he grew very close in the last few years through their mutual love of in-depth conversation. Thursday morning at Thornton’s the guys gathered around to hear his stories, jokes, lies, and wisdom. He looked forward to his Friday nights eating dinner with his girls but never allowed any dirty bird(chicken) in the house. He kept up with his out-of-town family through Facebook even though he couldn’t stand social media, and he looked forward to his 7 PM nightly phone calls with his daughter.

Bob loved all of his family in a way that each one believed that they were his favorite; a love that is worth imitating and should be an example for the world.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Ruff. His brother Gary Ruff, son-in-law Keith Woods, and his great-granddaughter Charlotte “Charlie” Trumbo, his little tornado.

Bob is survived by his daughters Christina (Joe) Whytsell, Jennifer Allen, Deanna Woods, and his favorite son by default Dean(Michelle) Sexton. His grandchildren are Carrie(Rob) Riley, Reese Sexton, McKenzie(Jared) Cassidy, Katie(Chris) Trumbo, Joesph(LeAnn) Whytsell, Daniel(Sierra) Whytsell, and Justin(Jessica) Allen. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren.

Guests are invited to a visitation from 3 to 8 PM on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Arch L Heady at Resthaven Funeral Home, 4400 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40218.

A funeral service will be held at noon on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in the Chapel. Burial will take place later at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Crusade for Children.