James Daniel Ruf

James Daniel “Jim” Ruf, age 76, of Schererville, IN, passed away unexpectedly on November 6, 2023.
Jim was born on April 1, 1947, in Chicago and moved at age two to his hometown of Whiting, Indiana.
Jim was a 1961 graduate of St. John the Baptist Catholic School and a 1965 graduate of George Rogers
Clark High School. In his school years he spent his time playing golf, running cross country, on the
basketball court (#43) and courting the love of his life, Barbara Bugajski. After graduation Jim earned a
Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Mathematics, and later a Master’s in Computer Science from Purdue
University.
Jim and Barb were married on October 17, 1970. They enjoyed a weekend honeymoon in Lake Geneva
and came home to his draft notice in the mail. Jim believed in his duty to serve, and in February of 1971
he left for the US Army. He spent time at Fort Dix in New Jersey, Sandia Air Force Base in Albuquerque,
New Mexico, and then the US Army base in Siegelsbach, Germany, where he was stationed for 15
months as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist with Top Secret clearance. Jim and Barb had the opportunity to
travel extensively throughout Europe during their time overseas and enjoyed all the friends they met
through his service.
After his discharge from the Army, Jim began teaching math and later computers at Hammond High
School. He eventually moved to the Hammond Area Career Center as Technology Coordinator, where
he taught computers to faculty and staff. He retired in 2010 with 42 years of service to the School City
of Hammond. He was named Teacher of the Year in 1984 and was much beloved by many students. He
always enjoyed running into former students around the area and later on Facebook.
Jim thoroughly enjoyed his retirement years spent with Barb. He was an avid golfer, reader, and solver
of crossword puzzles and word games. He was an incredible loving father who supported and helped his
daughters in innumerable ways throughout their lives. “Papa” had no greater joy than his
granddaughters, and he was their biggest fan and a regular attendee at all of their sporting events. He
was one of their favorite people ever, and Dani and Hailey loved every moment spent with him playing
Yahtzee and so many other games, sharing many meals and laughs, and even getting help with math
homework.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Barbara; children Jennifer and Steven Poskin and Jill and
Justin Hornsby; granddaughters Danielle and Hailey Poskin; brother and best friend Bob Ruf (Felicia
Gressette); his sisters Pat (Ernie) Serrano, Lyn (Terry) Richmond and Jean (Jim) Medek; brother-in-law
Don Bugaski; sister-in-law Diane (late Earl) Peoples; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren
and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel J. “Bud” and Ann Ruf, and his in-laws
Frank and Alice Bugaski.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2023, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm at Hillside Funeral
Home, 8941 Kleinman Avenue, Highland, IN. There will be a brief funeral service at 3:00 pm and friends
will be welcomed to share memories of Jim at this time. All are invited to attend dinner with the family
following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s name would be welcomed to St. Michael
Education Foundation, Andrean High School Athletics, or Humane Society of the Calumet Area.
As his final gift, we are proud that Jim was able to provide to others in need through the Gift of Hope
organ donation program.

Jim was friendly, loyal, smart, funny, loving, gentle and kind. He was truly one of the good guys and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 12:00-4:00 PM at Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center 8941 Kleinman Road (one block south of Ridge Road) Highland, IN with a Time of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 PM.

For further information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

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