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Today's Featured Biography

 
Gary Ruder

Coach Hays picked me up early spring of 1962 and drove me to Greeley to meet with the baseball coaches of CSC (now UNC). After the meeting, my attendance at CSC was confirmed. I would be able to play baseball in their program. Back at home, I coaxed Bill Davis (class of '63) into joining me at Greeley. We were roommates in the dorm.

My sole purpose in attending Greeley was to play baseball. I didn't care much about receiving an education. Within a years' time, that would change in dramatic fashion. Given an opportunity by the Baltimore Orioles to pursue a professional baseball career, I found it wasn't for me. I ultimately chose a career in education.

Coach Hays and Bill were two of the most significant influences in my life. I would not have attended college had it not been for Coach Hays; Bill helped me "find" my career path. There were 4 other very significant influences in my lfe as well.

Milo Henkels was professor of Deaf Education at CSC. Bill Davis introduced me to Mr. Henkels, who turned out to be the most interesting teacher I ever met. His classes were pure joy. He inspired me to become a teacher of the deaf, which lasted formally for over 25 years.

Bill Davis also became a teacher of the deaf. Upon graduation from CSC, I took a position at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB)in Colorado Springs, while Bill signed on at the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind (MSDB) in Great Falls, Montana. Two years later we reunited when I took a teaching position at MSDB (thanks to Bill, again).

Dr. Earl Hepler was the third major influence in my life. He was a professor of Vocational-Technical Education, and my advisor while I pursued a Master's degree. While serving as vocational director at MSDB, I relied heavily on the "know how" and insight I gained from Dr. Hepler.

After twelve years of working with the deaf, I was ready for a change. I wanted to be a commissioned sales person and thus found a job with Blue Cross of Montana. I was the Individual Lines Manager for the Northwest Region of Montana. I held this position for 5 years. Russ Sewell was my boss and the next significant influence in my life. Russ taught me how to sell, a skill that was most beneficial after I left Blue Cross and started my own business.

In 1984, I embarked on a new venture. I decided to combine my love for teaching with my love for selling. I started an employee development business. I worked with various public and private corporations in the Portland, OR marketplace. In 1986, my business took an unexpected turn. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management in Seattle asked me to produce and conduct a workshop for deaf employees in the Seattle area. Following that initial workshop, word-of-mouth spread rapidly. I crisscrossed the country for the next eleven years conducting workshops for deaf employees and also, workshops for their supervisors and coworkers.

In 1997, I enrolled in a doctoral program "Adult Learning and Human Resources Development" at Virginia Tech. Dr. Gabriella Belli, my research advisor, was the catalyst for my completion. Thanks to her continual effort and support I earned my Ph.D. in 2003.

We all have stories to tell about that one individual that meant so much to us. I've been very fortunate because I've had 6 of them. I personally thanked each of these individuals for all they did for me and for being such a positive influence in my life. I wanted them to know they really made a difference for me. All but one was a teacher.

I've also experienced the joy of hearing from former students who have let me know that I was a positive influence on their lives. Boy, that's really special.

Here's a short summary of my comings and goings. I got married for the first time while at CSC. Interestingly, Darlene had been a cheerleader at Cherry Creek High, but I didn't know her until we met at Greeley. We lived in Colorado Springs for two years and then Great Falls, MT. We divorced after 14 years of marriage.

I met Linda in Great Falls and we've been married for 26 years. We moved from Great Falls to Lolo, MT - a bedroom community of Missoula while I worked for Blue Cross of Montana. In 1984, we moved to Portland OR where I embarked on my training business.

Linda received her Master's degree in Public Administration from Portland State University and one of her professors recommended her for the Presidential Panagement Intern (PMI) program. The PMI was designed to bring new professionals into the Federal government and train them for leadership positions. Most of the intern opportunities were in Washington DC so we moved to this area in 1991, when Linda took a job with the U.S. Department of Justice.

We lived in Arlington VA (right across the street from the Pentagon) until 1999, when we moved to our current house in Manassas VA (first battle of Civil War). Linda is currently a senior manager at the Dept. of Justice, Office of Inspector General (the PMI program works!).

We have two sons (from first marriage) Daniel & Patrick. Dan is a senior engineer at Microsoft in Seattle. He is married to a woman from Thailand. They have one son - Matthew almost 10 years old. Needless to say, it's great having superior technical computer support when you need it.

Patrick lives in Honolulu HI and works for a defense contractor. He's an avid surfer and is quite adept at martial arts activities (an instructor) including Eskrima - Phillipine stick fighting.

Linda and I enjoy traveling, although I don't enjoy flying. We'll drive to Denver for the reunion this year. There are many neat places to visit here on the East coast and we try to take advantage of that whenever we can.

I enjoy working around the house and yard. However, I'm a real dirt magnet - I attract dirt when I go out to work. I don't know how it happens, but i come inside and I'm filthy. I'm often changing clothes in the garage just so Linda will let me in. I've asked the neighbors about using their showers, but so far they've turned me down-darn!

I still enjoy drinking beer. Once in awhile I'll brew my own. It's not like the rotgut my dad used to make. It's actually quite good. If you like Sam Adams, you would like my homebrew.

If you come to the Washington DC area, look me up.

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