Edwin Ruark

DELTAVILLE – Dr. Edwin Warren Ruark, Ph.D., passed away on September 21, 2023 at his home surrounded by the love of family after a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 82.

Edwin was born April 11, 1941 in Deltaville, Virginia. He attended Middlesex County Public Schools and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree from Lynchburg College in 1963, and his Masters of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Biochemistry and Nutrition from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1966 and 1970 respectively. He did post graduate studies at the Medical College of Virginia in Clinical Pharmacology.

After graduation, Edwin became the Director of Physicians Clinical Laboratory in Richmond, Virginia. The business was sold in 1978 and he moved back to his hometown to open Ruark & Associates Ltd., a real estate company that he still operated until his death.

Ed was a past member of the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors, Lower Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, a licensed boat captain, a lifelong member of Donovan Masonic Lodge #75, affiliate member of West Point Masonic Lodge #238, a Royal Arch Mason Urbanna Chapter #59 and Penn Neck Commandery #33. He was an avid hunter; he loved each and every dog he ever had, and was a great fisherman.

Edwin was preceded in death by his parents; Edwin Rufus and Mary Bristow Ruark, and his beloved brother; Rufus H. Ruark, Sr.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 50 years, Suzanne Crump Ruark and their children; Lisa Donant, Paul Seitz (Tracy), and Gretchen Zwerner; five grandchildren, Shelby Jahnke (Michael), Rachel Pearson (Bryce), Jacob Seitz (Julianne), Brooking Lester, and Hunter Zwerner; four great-grandchildren, Caroline Austin Jahnke, Nora Grace Pearson, Ryker Edwin Pearson and Bayton Leigh Seitz; sister-in-law, Diane S. Ruark and extended family members and friends.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, September 25, 2023 at Zoar Baptist Church, Deltaville, Virginia followed by a Masonic Service. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at Zoar Baptist Church, Deltaville, Virginia at 2 p.m. Interment will immediately follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Ed’s memory to any of the following; Donovan Masonic Lodge #75 Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 915, Deltaville, VA 23043, Lower Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department (LMVFD.com), Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad (MCVRS.com) or Middlesex County Animal Shelter c/o Middlesex Pet Friends for Life, P.O. Box 145, Saluda, VA 23149.