WPCNR MILESTONES. From the White Plains High School Hall of Fame Biography and remembrances from his friends, Peter and Susan Katz. January 7, 2010: The man known as “Mr. White Plains” died Thursday evening in the White Plains home in which he was born in 1913. Robert F. Ruger was 97 years old. His health had been deteriorating in recent months.
Bob Ruger, a life-long White Plains resident, gave selflessly of his time and talent to help dozens of White Plains organizations grow and prosper and thousands of White Plains residents enjoy a better life.Photo by Peter Katz
Mr. Ruger lived and passed away in the same house in which he was born in 1913. A member of the Class of 1931, he was among the first to attend the “new” Highlands High School building for a full year. After graduating from Rutgers University, Mr. Ruger began a 40-year career as a representative with Dun & Bradstreet.
In 1969, as an Elder of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Ruger was chosen to make a round-the-world tour of mission activities. The trip stimulated his long-term interest in a church affiliated medical college in India.
Mr. Ruger served on the White Plains Common Council for 12 years (1976-1988). He was Council President in 1982 and 1983. He proudly displayed a custom license plate for his car which identified him as a councilman. For six years, he was Chairman of the White Plains Zoning Board of Appeals. He also served as Chairman of the city’s Traffic Commission for 26 years, resigning due to ill health in 2009, at the age of 96.
Left to right, White Plains Senior Traffic Planner Ed Oliva, White Plains Traffic Commissioner Tom Soyk, Robert Ruger, Common Council member Milagros Lecouna at an honorary recognition of Mr. Ruger June, 2009.
Mr. Ruger served in major leadership roles for a host of important local organizations, including Westco Productions, the White Plains-based theater company for which he served as President of the Board of Directors from 1992-2005, the White Plains Rotary Club, the Salvation Army, the YMCA, the Thomas H. Slater Center, the Westchester Drama Association, Senior Personnel Employment Council, the United Way and the Organization of People Undaunted by Stroke. He also was a member of the White Plains High School Tigers Fan Club.
Mr. Ruger served as President of the White Plains Beautification Foundation. He was honored at a testimonial dinner at the Crowne Plaza in November, 1987, and is a Marash Humanitarian Service Award winner. Westco Productions honored Mr. Ruger with a gala to mark his 90th birthday in 2002 which was attended by several hundred friends and well wishers.
In 1996, he was inducted into the White Plains High School Hall of Fame.
MAN OF THE CENTURY:
Susan Katz, (Left) President of Westco introducing White Plains main man, Robert Ruger at a Westco Benefit honoring him in 2002 on his 90th birthday. To the right of Mr. Ruger are Jo Falcone and Charles Goldberger.
For his lifetime of community service and accomplishments, Mr. Ruger was known by his friends and associates as “Mr. White Plains.”
