Carlton N. Ruf, Jr.

LT Carlton (Carl) Nichols Ruf, Jr. departed this life on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Born in Milford, DE, he was the son of the late Carlton N. Ruf, Sr. and Lettie V. Frampton Ruf of Federalsburg, Maryland. Carl spend the early years of his life in Caroline and Dorchester Counties, Maryland and was a graduate of North Dorchester High School Class of 72, and alumni of Salisbury University, Class of 83. He enlisted in the regular Coast Guard in 1972 and served as a Unit Section Leader, Search and Rescue Boat Coxswain, and as a non-commissioned officer in maritime law enforcement. He was awarded the prestigious Coast Guard Commendation Medal for operational performance underway in 1976. After his initial enlistment expired with the regular Coast Guard, he went on to serve an additional period as a combat infantry squad leader with the Maryland Army National Guard, Co. B, 2nd Batt., 175th Infantry. Shortly after his college graduation in 1983, he was selected to attend Officers Candidate School in Yorktown, Virginia and was thereafter awarded an Officers Commission in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. There he served many years as an Operations and Training Officer at various units. A son of Delaware, Carl went on to become the Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Reserve Unit Indian River, DE; Delaware’s single Coast Guard Search and Rescue station. He retired from active military reserve service in 1997.

Carl’s civilian career started in environmental and water quality management and evolved into the grass roots movement of alternative energy research and renewable fuels development. Positions included Chemist, ATF Auditor, Facilities Manager, and Regional Consultant. He went on to serve as an environmental Contract Support Team Manager for the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Environmental Office, building and leading a contractor team of award winning environmental scientists and specialists. His rapport and relationship was his NASA civil servant friends and program leads, co-workers, and colleagues was highly dear to him and forever memorable. He was awarded and recognized by NASA for the environmental initiatives he and his team developed for the agency. He eventually moved to Williamsburg, Virginia and worked for the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center in Portsmouth, VA. Carl was also engaged in activities on an international level; in El Salvador working with the local communities on post-war industrial revitalization efforts, and in Ireland working with the Irish Farmers Association on alternative energy, agro-science, and bio-fuels initiatives. He considered Ireland to be a second home. He entered into semi-retirement in 2014.

Throughout his life, Carl engaged in many challenges. In 1993 he obtained his pilots certification and enjoyed solo flights in the spring and fall to relax. A frequent speaker and presenter for the National Oil Recyclers Association, he enjoyed occasional business trips to the American Southwest and took the opportunity to visit and study natural areas such as Red Rock Canyon as well as the engineering marvels of Hoover Dam. Early in his life he was active in sports, especially baseball, and he was a life-long Minnesota Vikings fan. A history buff at heart, he was an avid collector of fine 17th and 18th century English antiques. His prized collections were artifacts, paintings, correspondence, and furniture related to King George III of England. He was a member of several scientific organizations and a supporting member of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers of America. He was a multi-denominational Christian. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Carlton Norris Ruf of Crisfield, MD. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Rebecca Kathryn (nee: Russo) Ruf of Easton, MD, a step-son, Jason A. Raleigh; a sister and brother, Pamela S. West and Michael K. Ruf and wife Debbie, of Federalsburg, MD, and a brother, Randy C. Ruf and wife Robin, of Cambridge, MD, as well as several nieces, nephews, and granddaughters.

A service will be held at the Maryland Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery, Hurlock, MD on March 6, 2025 at 1 PM. Arrangements are in the care of the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.