Ronald “Ron” H. Ruffle, D.M.D., 82, of Jaffrey and formerly of Keene died on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at Cheshire Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Keene. He passed peacefully with his family at his side after battling cancer.
Ron was born the son of the late Evelyn (Harrison) and Warren C. Ruffle on June 25, 1932 in Keene, NH. He graduated from Jaffrey’s Conant High School as class valedictorian in 1950. After graduating from University of New Hampshire, he served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1959, with assignments in Texas, New York, and Thule, Greenland.
After his military service, Ron continued his studies specializing in dentistry. He graduated from Tufts Dental School in Boston in 1965 as a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry and a member of the National Dental Honor Society. While in dental school, he became involved in research at the Harvard Dental School Forsyth Clinic and published in the Journal of International Association of Dental Research. After graduating Ron moved with his family to Keene, where he started a private practice, co-founded a dental clinic at 650 Court Street, and served as a family dentist until his retirement in 2003. He served on the NH. Fish and Game Commission, the Board of Trustees of the Keene hospital, and as the president of the local dental society.
Ron enjoyed the outdoors, spending time gardening, hiking, canoeing, and fishing. He frequently hiked on Mount Monadnock and worked at the State Park during summers as a young man. He was a talented woodworker and silversmith, a collector and restorer of classic automobiles, as well as a pianist and self-taught banjo player. Ron was an avid reader with a love of history, nature, and philosophy.
He is survived by his loving wife, Hisako Kobayashi of Jaffrey, whom he married in 2012. He leaves his children and their spouses; Peter K. Ruffle and his wife Martha of Keene, Betsy Ruffle and her husband Jon Sundstrom of Boxborough, MA. Molly Ruffle and her husband William Deignan of Winchester, MA. and Brooke E. Ruffle and Samuel W. Ruffle of Spofford, NH. He also leaves five grandchildren; Michael Ruffle, Cameron Ruffle-Deignan, Nathan Ruffle-Deignan, James Sundstrom, and Haley Sundstrom in addition to cousins, extended family and friends.
His life will be remembered in a private service. Donations in Ron’s memory may be made to the Monadnock Conservancy, 15 Eagle Court, Ste. 5, Keene, NH. 03431. All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431. www.cheshirefamilyfuneralhome.com
