Robert Ruckman Obituary

Robert Louis Ruckman

February 15, 1931 - June 26, 2025

Robert (Bob), 94, was born 8th of 9 children of Paul and Ruby Hirst Ruckman on Feb. 15, 1931 in their farmhouse in rural Farmer City, IL. He died Thursday, June 26th at Bridle Brook in Mahomet, IL. From first to eighth grade he walked half a mile from the farm to one-room Bracken School where he made life-long friends. He graduated from Moore High School in Farmer City.

Bob graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Agr. Econ in 1954. There he met Patricia (Pat) McCluskey, who would become his wife of 72 years. They married Jan. 24, 1954 at First Presbyterian Church of Junction City KS. Pat survives, along with their children and significant others, Jeffrey Ruckman (Karen), Kimberly Ruckman (Paul Enda), Susan Ryan (Pat) and Michael Ruckman (Janet) grandchildren, Jason (Jennifer) Ruckman, ggchildren Eli and Max, Matthew Ruckman, Paige Swarts and gg-children Saige and Alia, Mac Swartz and gg-children Rhys and Griffin, Shana (John) Falk, Colin Ryan, Dillon Ryan, Bridget (Dan Overturf) Ryan and ggchild Evelyn, Kelly (Madison Story) Ryan, Grady (Hannah) Ryan and gg-child Wyatt, John (Narvintchka) Ruckman, Anna Ruckman and Elizabeth Ruckman.

Bob served in ROTC during college, and after college served in the Air Force during the Korean War. After assignments in Wyoming, New York, and Texas he briefly considered an Air Force career but instead moved back home to Farmer City in 1957 to work with his father on the family farm in the upper east "point" of Dewitt County. The children were born in the brief span between 1955 and 1959. Living on a farm could be dangerous, but his children have all their limbs and lives due to Bob's safety precautions.

In early 1962, Bob's father Paul died, leaving Bob to run the farm for his mother and take care of her until she died at age 95. Until he was in his very late 80's, Bob actively farmed the family land which has been family owned since 1851. He was a child of the depression who remembered and loved the horse-drawn implements and early tractors of his youth but farmed with larger, more comfortable equipment later in life.

A kind, gentle, dutiful but private soul who would do anything for his wife, Bob could be counted upon to drive trucks and trailers for family moves all over the country. He was always there to help but rarely asked for help himself. And he with his gentle smile had a knack for looking great in every photo taken of him.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday July 6 at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce in Farmer City followed by graveside services.