Richard H. Rutan

Richard H Rutan (Rich) 83 of Mulberry passed away on Tuesday evening February 3, 2015, at Mulberry Health and Retirement. He was born March 11, 1931, in the house where he lived most of his life to the late Lauros and Freda Rutan.  On June 29, 1952, he married his loving wife Mary Inis Kingery; she survives.  Together, they made a home for 62 years on the farm.
  
First and foremost, Rich was a farmer.  In addition to being a grain farmer, he also raised hogs and beef cattle for many years.  Rich had many interests and hobbies.  He was very knowledgeable about trees and took a personal interest in their well-being and valued their usefulness. Rich could identify all of the local species of trees and worked as an agent for a timber buyer for a time. He studied Native American history and enjoyed collecting artifacts found on the farm.  Rich and Mary also maintained a small orchard of fruit trees for many years and loved sharing fresh apple cider and fruit with family and friends.  Rich was a good welder and was always happy to help a neighbor in need.  He was an outdoorsman in every sense of the word, hunter, fisherman, and trapper, and was a licensed fur buyer for several years.  He made sure he passed on to his sons the knowledge he acquired about the outdoors.
  
In 1949, Rich graduated from Mulberry High School. While there, he lettered in basketball as a point guard all four years. He also competed and excelled in track and field. After high school, Rich pitched fast-pitch softball for various independent teams.
  
Rich worked for the Mulberry Co-Operative Telephone Company during a time when the phone lines were going underground. He played a valuable role in that transition and helped maintain that equipment.  In addition, he served on the Mulberry Telephone Board of Directors for 34 years.  Rich was a member of Dayton United Methodist Church.  

In addition to his wife, Rich is survived by three sons, John (Gail) Rutan of Marion, and Mark (Janet) Rutan and Alan Rutan, both of Lafayette; grandsons, Michael, Aaron, Neil, Craig, and Luke; and four great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Rich is preceded in death by his brother, Gordon.

Visitation for Rich will be held on Friday, February 6, 2015, at Genda Funeral Home Mulberry Chapel from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2015, at the funeral home.  Burial will follow at Fair Haven Cemetery in Mulberry.  Online condolences may be directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com.