V 13 N. 4 Don Ruh Mt. Sac R.I.P.

 The following noting the passing of Coach Don Ruh was posted on the Mt. Sac website.

Walnut, CA) It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of legendary coach, Don Ruh.   Surrounded by his family, Coach Ruh passed away peacefully early this morning (01/06) at his home in Yucaipa (CA), after battling congestive heart failure the past 18 months.  

Coach Ruh began his nearly six decade long relationship with Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) in 1963.  He was hired as a professor and second ever track & field/cross country head coach by Mt. SAC Relays/Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational Founder Hilmer Lodge. 

Coach Ruh impacted millions of people through his tireless work as a professor, coach and leader.  Under his guidance, the Mt. SAC Relays, Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational and LA84 Foundation Track & Field Grants grew to become the world’s largest events of their kind.  These events promoted the Mt. SAC name/brand throughout the world.  His work “set the bar” of excellence that future generations continue to aspire to.  

Although officially retired in 1994, Coach Ruh continued his work and support for the college.  He continued as the Director of the LA84 Foundation Grant Program (LA84 Foundation/Mt. SAC Relays Youth Days Track & Field Meet and Clinic Programs), Director of the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational Elementary/Middle School Divisions and Director of the Mt. SAC Relays Munchkin Run.  

Coach Ruh was an iconic figure, within the Mt. SAC Community and throughout the world.  An incredible selfless leader, he had the innate ability to bring together people from all walks of life.  His friendships circumvented the world and made him an extremely well respected and beloved figure within the cross country/track & field community.  One of his greatest peacemaking accomplishments was convincing political rivals, The Peoples Republic of China and Taiwan to agree to allowing each nation to compete together at the 1980 Mt. SAC Relays. 

It was Coach Ruh’s dream to build a Heritage Hall to tell the Mt. SAC Story.  He not only developed the concept, he spearheaded the fundraising for the new museum and campus conference/meeting center.  The project came to fruition in 2022, thanks in part to his families generous contribution, to which the conference facility is now named the Ruh Family Educational Center.   

Locally, Coach Ruh served his community through his decades long volunteer work with the Kiwanis Club.  He was a member of the Walnut Valley Club, before moving on to the Yucaipa Valley Club after his retirement. 

In 2013, he was inducted into the Mt. SAC Athletics Hall of Fame.  Coach Ruh is also a member of the California Community College Cross Country and Track Coaches (5CTCA), Mt. SAC Relays, Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational and University of Redlands (Football Team) Hall of Fames.  

Born in 1932, he recently celebrated his 90th birthday.  Coach Ruh grew up in Huntington Park (CA), graduated from Huntington Park Senior High School and the University of Redlands.  He taught at  Boy’s Republic (Chino, CA), El Monte High School (El Monte, CA) and Dominguez High School (Compton, CA) before arriving at Mt. SAC.

Coach Ruh is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sandi, children Chrys, Marc (Lani), Erika San Miguel (Rich), Heidi Meyer (Rob) and grandchildren Campbell, Riley, Justin, Greyson, Katie and Taylor.  

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A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, February 5th at 11:00 am, in the Ruh Family Education Center at Heritage Hall, on the Mt. SAC Campus.  Additional details of the service will be posted on the Mt. SAC Athletics Website at www.mtsacathletics.com/donruh.

In lieu of flowers and in line with Coach Ruh's lifelong commitment to the students at Mt. SAC, the Ruh family asks that donations be made in support of Heritage Hall to the Coach Don Ruh Memorial Heritage Hall Fund. 

Donations may be made online at https://mtsacfoundation.org/donation-pages/kinesiology-athletics-division or by check.  Donations by check, may be made payable to the Mt. SAC Foundation  and sent to Mt. SAC Foundation/1100 N. Grand Ave./Walnut, CA 91789.  Please note “Coach Don Ruh Memorial Fund”

George,

Hope you are fine.

I had the pleasure to know Coach Ruh back in high school. When he coached at Mt. Sac JC he invited me to travel with his team down to Mexico City in 67' to compete against the Mexican National Team and have the Mexican track federation prepare for the 68' Summer Olympics. This was right after the California State Meet held in San Diego.

We took a nice greyhound bus from Pomona all the easy to the U.S.-Mexican border at Calexico but transferred to a typical Mexican bus all the way down to the Hotel Del Bosque on the reforma blvd in Mexico City. Three day trip stopping in Mazatlan and Guadalajara. 

On the way back Coach Ruh negotiated with the Mexican track officials that we take a Mexiacan Military train to Guadalajara and then a civilian train all the way back to Calexico. 

A real class guy. In our hotel was Bud Winter from San Jose St and the Mexican National coach was Bill Easton. Met Easton for the first time and he wasn't very cordial knowing that I was on my way to join Bob Timmons at KU.  Years later I used to have coffee with him and his wife in lawrence in his home. A lot of KU guys did the same in getting moral support from such a famous coach.

Going directly from sea level to Mexico City elevation of 7400' was no picnic in running the 1,500m.

Easton recruited some indigenous Tarahumara distance runners for the long distance thinking that they'd medal in 68'?

Mike Solomon

 in the memo section of the check.