Kevin Lloyd Ruch

On May 3, 2025, Kevin Ruch, better known as the baby elephant, charged through Heaven’s gate, knocking it off its hinges.  I am sure the news traveled quickly to his dad, Robert; his mother-in-law, Peggy; nephew, Eric; and his buddies Bill and Paul.  I bet they sprinted to see him, where he was undoubtedly already holding court with everyone, just as he did at home.  Kevin never knew someone as a stranger for long and within minutes had a way of making every stranger into a friend. Even curmudgeons eventually fell to his charms. To know him was to love him; And Kevin’s authentic love for people could not be hidden.   

The world was Kevin’s stage.  Larger than life, he never went unnoticed, and he loved that and loved entertaining, even dabbling as a stand-up comic.  Even though it was a page dedicated to our dogs, Kevin somehow became the star of the Snort Squad page.  Who knew that reading bedtime stories to puppies would be such a draw? Oh, how he loved that attention.  

As much as he loved attention, Kevin also spread joy without any fanfare at all.  Spiderman visited sick kids in the hospital, just to see them happy.  Kevin and his beloved therapy dogs often visited retirement homes and hospitals, spreading cheer to everyone.  Kevin truly loved making people happy and brought laughter, love, and light everywhere we went. 

It was important to Kevin to better the world around him.  He was very civic minded and was the first to put up his hand when help was needed.  Kevin had a huge heart and never met a person in need that he didn’t try to help.  As Kevin put it, no one needs two coats if there are people without just one.  He would literally give the shirt off his back to help someone—which was fitting because he was happier without a shirt on. 

He worked for decades as a sales manager for Mondelez, where he loved mentoring people and developing talent.  Kevin truly loved selling…to him, it was fun.  He could sell anything to anyone.  A credit to his extraordinary relationship skills. 

He loved fitness and challenging himself physically.  He was an avid runner and a tremendous competitor.  Prior to his career at Mondelez, Kevin was a professional, and extremely accomplished athlete. Kevin attended LaSalle University on a full athletic scholarship. He qualified for the Olympic trials in 1992, was once ranked fourth in distance running in the country and ran for Oakley and Reebok.  He did all of this with a heart defect.  Kevin never saw an obstacle he couldn’t overcome.  He refused to accept any imposed limits and always found another way to accomplish his goals.  In fact, he was extremely fit and worked out until the very end of his life despite having Stage 4 cancer. 

After his cancer diagnosis, Kevin punched back hard and defied all odds by living years past his prognosis.  Kevin battled so hard because he loved life and had so much to live for.  His family, friends, and dogs meant everything to him.  Kevin was a dedicated and doting husband who adored his wife, Jo, who he shared almost 30 years of his life with.  They had an incredible love and built a life together full of love, laughter, and CHAOTIC adventures.  

The biggest adventure was being parents to their children, Andy (Sandy), Rikki (Tylor), Emily (Kayle) and Hollywood (Hannah), who were the absolute joy of his life and are his legacy.  He taught his children important life lessons, such as Ding Dong Ditch, Stickering, and the appropriate usage of fart spray.  Kevin was so honored and proud that he recently had the privilege of marrying Hollywood and Hannah.   

Kevin’s legacy continues with his precious grandchildren.  He so loved being a Pappy and will be looking over his grandkids, Grayson, Kayden, Kelton, Oakley, Hudson, Landon, and Weston.  There is so much of Kevin that lives on in all of them. 

He was part of a large family and was the oldest of six siblings with whom he shared tremendous adventures growing up. Kevin is survived by his brother, Michael, and sisters Susan, Christine, Robin, and Rita.  He is also survived by his mother, Rita, from whom he learned many of his creative ways.   

Kevin was an incredibly talented artist and drew many murals, including in his only granddaughter's room.  He also had so many treasured friendships that enriched his life and truly became family, like his “Brothers of the Heart” gang: Matt, Robb, Rob, Mark, Rick, Sterling, Ed, and Dale.   

Kevin was also the best dog daddy and is very missed by his fur babies.  As a final act of love toward animals, he saved a dog’s life by donating his pacemaker.   

Kevin’s passing has left a huge void in the lives of all who knew him, but he wanted everyone to remember him and smile, laugh, and love people better. He is with God, at peace, and his struggles are over. So, remember him with a smile until we see him again.  

To honor his memory and his wishes, there will be a Celebration of Life ceremony on Saturday, May 17th, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Recreation Building, 5001 Hampden Park Drive, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 17050.  The family asks that you wear Jets attire or colors, bring a covered dish, and your favorite story about him to share.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider providing donations to assist with his outstanding medical expenses and memorial costs.