James R. Ruhlin Jr.
1935 – 2009
NAPLES — James R. Ruhlin Jr. (Lt.Col., U.S. Army, retired), 74, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, Sept. 28, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
He was born April 15, 1935, and raised in Bangor, the son of James R. and Helena G. (Hewes) Ruhlin. He graduated from Bangor High School in 1953, and from the University of Nebraska (Omaha) in 1967.
Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army through the Junior ROTC Program. After completing Infantry Basic Training, he was selected and retained as a drill sergeant at Fort Dix, N.J., and later selected for Infantry Officer Candidate training. He was commissioned as an Infantry 2d Lieutenant on May 9, 1955. Later he was selected and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a Regular U.S. Army Officer, effective on his 21st birthday. During his military career, he served in a series of global assignments as an Infantry, Airborne, Ranger, and Special Forces Unit Commander.
He married Dorothy I. Strout of South Portland in 1954. After nearly 40 years of marriage, she passed away in 1994. Together they started a family eventually consisting of four sons and began globe trotting serving in various overseas command duty assignments in Germany, Iceland, Okinawa, Malaysia, Vietnam (twice) and Korea.
United States assignments included tours of duty at Ft. Hood, Ft. Benning, Ft. Bragg, Ft. Ord, Ft. McPherson, Ft. Levenworth, Ft. Dix and the Pentagon.
His decorations include: 2 Legion of Merits, 2 Bronze Stars, Air Medal for Valor, 4 Army Commendation Medals for Valor, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal (Enlisted Service), Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Arc Tab, Army Special Forces Arc Tab and the Green Beret, and the Army General Staff Bridge. Also he was awarded 2 Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with gold star and one with Palm. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in May 1974 to operate the Bay of Naples Family Campground in Naples.
While residing in Naples, he was active in many town committees and boards. On a more global scale, he served as president of the Maine and the Northeast Campground Owners Associations, and was a member of the Maine Tourism Commission, Maine Publicity Bureau, Maine Municipal Association, and the Governor’s Advisory Council on Tourism. Aside from the Campground industry, he also served as vice president and director of Evergreen Indemnity, Ltd. and Evergreen USA, both insurance companies specializing in casualty and property insurance for campgrounds.
For the last few years, he reestablished a special bond with his companion, Brigitte Less of Osborne, Mass.
He is survived by his sons, Thomas J. Ruhlin of Reston, Va., and his wife, Kathryn, Michael E. Ruhlin of Naples, Timothy E. Ruhlin and his wife, Julie, of Portland and James A. Ruhlin and his wife, Lisa, of South Portland; he was especially proud of his seven grandchildren, Shawn, Annika, Jessica, Savannah, Daniel, Ryan and Harrison; also surviving him are his brothers, Richard Ruhlin of Brewer and Robert Ruhlin of Hudson; and his sister, Carole Ann Ruhlin of Reston, Va.
He was predeceased by his brother, David Ruhlin in 2007.
The immediate family would like to express a special note of appreciation to Carole Ann and to Alison Milne from the Hospice of Southern Maine for their support and assistance during James’ final weeks.