Richard "Dick" Ruggles passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

Beloved husband of the late Carole Ruggles (née Nickerson) with whom he shared 46 years of marriage; dearest father of David (Holly) Ruggles and Ashley (Darrell) Lewis; cherished grandfather of Brandon (Ariel) Ruggles, Josh (Sarah) Ruggles, Jake, Kylie, and Brady Ruggles, and Chase, Zach, Ben, and Mia Lewis; and proud great-grandfather of Alora and Ember Ruggles. Loving son of the late Francis and Maxine Ruggles; dear brother of Carol Barnhart; devoted uncle of Courtney (Brian) Guenther and Whitney (Greg) Johnson; and a treasured brother-in-law, cousin, and friend to many.

Born in Berwyn, Illinois, Dick's athletic talents were evident from a young age. A standout in both baseball and basketball, he earned a dual-sport scholarship to the University of Kansas, where he excelled as a Jayhawk in both arenas. After graduation, he was drafted to play AAA for the New York Yankees, fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing professional baseball.

Following his athletic career, Dick devoted himself to education as a teacher and high school basketball coach before embarking on a successful 40-year career in the insurance industry.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Dick was a passionate fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas Jayhawks. His greatest joy, however, came from supporting his family. Whether coaching his children, David and Ashley, or cheering on his grandchildren at countless basketball, baseball/softball, and soccer games, Dick was always their biggest fan. His steady presence, guidance, and love enriched the lives of all who knew him.

Dick's love, encouragement, and unwavering support will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Services: Stay tuned- a celebration of life will happen after the holidays. In the meantime, we hope you think of him when you enjoy a delicious steak dinner, cheer on the Cardinals or Kansas Jayhawks, take a train ride, or spend time in the stands cheering on your own kids or grandkids in whatever they love to do.

As a service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, friends may sign the family's online guestbook at Schrader.com.