Walter "Ted" Rugenstein
September 17, 1951 ~ February 12, 2016
Walter “Ted” Rugenstein, 64 of Martinville, passed away February 12, 2016 at Meadow Lakes in Mooresville after an extended illness. He was born September 17, 1951 in Indianapolis to the late Evans and Frieda (Jones) Rugenstein.
Walter worked as a pipe fitter at General Motors for 26 years, retiring in 2009. He was an active member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Martinsville.
His brother, Evans “Sonny” Rugenstein; one sister, Diane Hatley and his beloved canine companion, Indy also preceded him in death.
Survivors include his two sons, Daniel T. (Amber) Rugenstein of California and Tyson L. (Joy) Rugenstein of Camby; brother, David Rugenstein of Colorado; sister, Anita Hedrick of Danville; two grandchildren, Rayah, also known as his ray of sunshine and Cary.
Family and friends will gather for visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 15 in the chapel at Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory in Mooresville. Rev. Nathan Janssen will conduct the funeral service on Tuesday, February 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran in Martinsville; additional calling will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, to honor Ted’s love and devotion to animals, please consider making a donation to the Morgan County Humane Society; envelopes will be made available at the funeral home or visit www.mchumanesoc.org.
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Mine is not one memory, but the fact that Dad would drop everything to help anyone. He gave so much even if it put him in a bad spot. He gave his sons everything he had and always put us first. Even these last two and half years he was more worried about me taking care of Joy and Rayah. He always perked up when Rayah walked in. She will always know his love for her. A special thanks to my aunt and uncle, Anita and Mike, for all they have done to help care for him over the last couple of years…we couldn’t have done it without you two. Also my wife and daughter, my wife took so much time with him and there is no way I could have done all of this with out her. Rayah was such a strong little girl through all of it. Also Mike and Sarah for helping fix up dads crash test apartment:stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:. Dad, I could never do enough to repay all you did for us. I know how much you love me, Joy, and Rayah. Thank you We love you!
I worked with Ted at Chevy for many years. He was truly a nice man. Many good memories of him.
Ted was a wonderful person and a special friend/mentor to so many members of the Monrovia band. He gave of his time and resources tirelessly–building, encouraging and being that steady rock who was always there for others. The amount of his own time that he gave to all of us is amazing. He was always there to help, never expecting anything in return. We are all better people for having known Ted. Heaven has gained a tireless worker and advocate!
What can I say about my ‘little’ brother? He was family, friend, and most of all a Christian. We have our God and our parents to thank for that. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for anyone. I thank the Lord for Tyson and Joy also. They worked tirelessly to see that all his needs were met. He could drive me crazy sometimes, then make me soon forget about it. I am thankful he is well now, and with the Lord.
Ted was my brother-in-law for a few years, many years ago. I thought so much of him. He was a very sweet guy. I have seen him once or twice since leaving the family and he was still the same sweet and very personable man. I know his family will miss him greatly. RIP Ted!
Thoughts and prayers for Teds’ sons and sister, Ted lived for many years on our previous property and he was a very nice guy. But, Ted first came into my life when I was probably a fifth grader at Monrovia grade school and he was in high school he would come down the hall to escort all of us in band to the band classroom, he was so tall. Last visited Ted by accident at Meadows Lake a year or so ago. RIP Ted. Debbie Mason Fraker
I’m writing this for my husband, David Rugenstein, Ted’s older brother. David has Parkinson’s disease and is not able to write so he’s telling me what he wants to say. The last time I saw Ted was when he came to Colorado for a visit in 2013. I was in the hospital recovering from emergency surgery for an aortic valve replacement. . . not what he expected to find when he planned his visit. It was great to have him here during that time. I never thought that would be the last time I’d see him. He was a great brother!
Having known the Rugenstein family for over 55 years I am so sad to hear of their loss of Ted. I remember him mostly as a child and then teenager I think of them often and wish them peace.
I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and praying for peace.
Ted was a devoted member of the prince of peace church family. He was always ready to help on projects, of course, he always has his opinion as to how we should go about doing things. Haha. I was most impressed with teds love of the bible and how he could share words from it to help uplift me. His love of music and his encouragement to listen to Christian music are the reason I listen to a Christian radio station now
Ted was a hard working man with a great heart. He made sure we always had coffee no matter how bad he felt, or the weather, or even if he had other things to do. Every week, he was there to make the coffee at Prince of Peace. If he had to get someone to fill in for him, he had a very specific way of making coffee and was not shy to tell you if you did it incorrectly. Not because he was upset about the coffee, it was because he did not want to disappoint people. So, he’d be there, no matter what. Him and his dogs. They say you can tell a person by how the animals are around them. Ted loved those dogs and they loved him immensely. The only time I saw ted without them is during service on Sundays. They knew his heart. He was a kind man with a gruff exterior and a soft heart, with a quick sense of humor. His jokes were always corny and that made me laugh all the time. Ted was a teacher, he needed to have things done a certain way and he wanted to be sure you knew that way. Not because he was particular about it; it was the right way and he wanted to be sure you succeeded, so he insisted you learn it that way. For the betterment of you. Heaven has gained such a wonderful angel. Thank you God for lending us your angel, please wrap him in your loving arms for all eternity and let him know he was loved.
Although Ted was only a short part of my life, the lessons that I learned from him were invaluable to the entirety of my life. I met Ted when I was in eighth grade band with his son Tyson. He was a great example of hard work and dedication. The life lesson that has served me well through my years has been this. ‘ early is on time, on time is late, and late just won’t cut it’. I teach it to my boys regularly. Thank you Ted for being a good example and a memory I can always cherish.
Ted and I played in a rock&roll group together along with Gary Robins and Joe Barfield during our high school days at Monrovia in the 60’s. We sure had a lot of fun. I had a nice visit with Ted last Fall 2015 at the nursing home in Mooresville. Please accept my heartfelt condolences over his passing. Will miss him, Kurt J. Meier