Obituary of Bruce James Rutherford

Bruce Rutherford, born in 1929 and lifelong resident of the Twin Ports, died June 30 just shy of his 89th birthday. He will be remembered for his love of coffee, a good story, a good book, and a good investment. Over his 37 years at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), retiring in 1996, Bruce enjoyed working with diverse international students, visiting many of their homes and home countries on his travels to India, China, Mexico... Although he traveled to Costa Rica, Botswana, Chile, South America, and Central America, he never went to Scotland, which would have been a natural place to visit. He was raised by his Scottish immigrant grandparents (Mary Campbell Rutherford and Alexander Rutherford) in Superior, Wisconsin after the death of his mother when he was six weeks old. That probably accounts for Bruce's being sent to speech therapy for his Scottish bur as a youngster and for his love of John McCormick, bagpipes, and plaid trousers. He graduated from Superior Central HS in 1948, attended University of Wisconsin Superior for two years before transferring to UMD where he graduated in 1953. He earned his way through college by working for the Great Northern Railroad and the City of Superior as a lifeguard and inspector of weights and measures. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and spent 2 years in Argentia, Newfoundland. The Navy funded his graduate studies at Columbia in New York where he earned a Master's Degree in Industrial Psychology. That led him to UMD's Counseling Department and eventually the position of International Student Advisor. He maintained his affiliation with the Navy reserve, retiring after 20 years as a commander. The environment, the economy, and education were of great interest to him. He loved to sail on our Great Lake and he was a past president of Duluth Planned Parenthood. As an active member of the Park Point Community Club, he worked to preserve the old growth pine forest near the airport and was a hearty participant in the monthly potlucks of the Lafayette Community Edible Garden. He is predeceased by his parents, grandparents, and one brother, Alexander (Buddy) Rutherford. His son, Cameron, died at 19 in a motorcycle accident in 1991. His only cousin, James McDonald, died recently. Surviving Bruce are many loving friends who supported him through a medical quagmire, his wife, LeAne Haase Rutherford, and his sister-in-law, Barbara Haase Jeffus of Sacramento, CA. His two cats, Cali and Chelsi, will miss him as well. Heartfelt appreciation to the fine staff at St. Luke's Hospital, Drs. Popham, Kufahl, and AlKaied, and the "family" at Fresenius Dialysis. Should you wish to memorialize Bruce, please plant a tree, contribute to the charity of your choosing, or donate to CHUM, Animal Allies, or the Friends of the Duluth Public Library. Arrangements are by the Cremation Society of Minnesota, Duluth. A memorial gathering will be held later this summer.