Lee Van Ruckman, Jr.-2003

     The Rev. Lee Van Ruckman, Jr. age 85, of Lexington, Virginia, died at his home on August 6, 2003.

     He was born in 1918 in Fincastle, Virginia, the son of the Rev. Lee Van Ruckman, Sr., who was from Marvin Chapel, in Pocahontas County, and Clarice Atkinson Ruckman; he was the nephew of W. O. Ruckman.

     Rev. Ruckman was ordained in 1943 after graduating from the Duke University Theogogical Seminary. He met his wife, Gwendolyn Louise Grow, of Lexington, Virginia, while studying at Duke. Rev. Ruckman and his wife, a schoolteacher, served at churches throughout Virginia in Albemarle County, Fairfax County, Emporia, Chatham, Hampton, Callao, Vienna, Crozet, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth. His earlier education was as an English literature major at Emory and Henry College, and he wrote and published poetry throughout his ministry. Following his retirement, the Rev. Ruckman continued his ministry by organizing a Police Chaplains’ program, serving at the request of the Bishop at the Collierstown Methodist Charge, filling in for local ministers. He also worked at the Harrison Funeral Home in Lexington.

     He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gwen; children, Karen Ruckman Pearce, of Washington, D.C. and Van Ruckman, of Williamsburg, Virginia; three grandchildren.

     Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Harrison Funeral Chapel with Rev. William Thomas, Rev. Douglas Newman and Rev. Charles Carroll officiating. Burial followed in the Stonewall Jackson Cemetery.