Milton Oliver Ruark

Milton Ruark Jr., a lifetime Baltimore resident, passed away on Friday August 28th at his home after battling melanoma and other health conditions. He is endearingly known as “Milt” and made a noteworthy impact on those who knew him. Milt was born on November 30, 1933 to the late Anabel Ruark (née Burns), a former federal worker with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the National Security Administration(NSA) and the late Milton Oliver Ruark Sr., a former Superintendant for Acme grocery stores. Milt attended Baltimore City Public School #87 from Kindergarten – 6th grade (1939-1946) and Garrison Junior High (1946-1949). He graduated from Forest Park High School in June 1951where he was a member of Varsity cross country, track, and basketball. Following high school, he attended Johns Hopkins University for chemical engineering and then served in the Army on active duty from 1953 through 1955. When he returned, he decided to pursue his love for teaching and attended Towson State University (The State Teachers’ College at Towson) where he met his wife, Margaret “Peggy” Elizabeth Birkmeyer. They both graduated with a Bachelor of Science in education in 1958. Milt and Peggy were married on December 27, 1958 at First English Lutheran Church on N. Charles Street in Baltimore. Milt then earned a Masters of Education from the University of MD in 1963. Milt had an accomplished career as a mathematics teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools from 1958-1974 (including Rock Glen and Gwynns Falls Jr. High) and E. Brooke Lee Junior High in Montgomery County. He retired from Montgomery County and pursued a teaching position with Boys' Latin School of MD until he finally retired his career as a math teacher. Throughout his teaching career Milt was known as a conscientious, just and hard -working teacher. In an article in the February 9, 1962 The Gwynns Falls Ripples, Milton Ruark stated "I feel the four factors that make up a good teacher are preparation, presentation, personality, and patience." The article stated that he exemplified this philosophy through combining “ a pleasant sense of humor with real honest hard work”and was “ known throughout the building for his personality and sense of fair play.” Milt loved crabbing, duckpin bowling, golf, tennis, reading, watching sports, and playing cards with his friends. His math background served him well as he was known for his bargain shopping. It was not unusual to see him in the grocery store at 4:30am with carefully selected coupons to take advantage of the deals. Milt enjoyed jogging in his younger years but as this became difficult with age, he reverted to walking an average of several miles a day. Milt was strong willed and had an incredible sense of responsibility both in his work and in caring for his family. Milt and Peggy were married just under 49 years at the time of her passing on December 1, 2007. They are survived by their two children, Karen M. Owens and Kenneth J. Ruark and 4 grandchildren: Ashley Owens and Alex, Max, and Dillon Ruark. A Memorial Service in honor of Milton Ruark Jr. will be held : Date: Saturday October 10, 2015 Time: 11:00am Place: Catonsville United Methodist Church 6 Melvin Avenue (corner of Frederick Rd. and Melvin) Catonsville MD. 21228 If you are interested in making a donation in memory of Mr. Ruark, please send a contribution to one of the following charities: World Wildlife Fund 1250 24th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20037 1-800-CALL-WWF To make a donation in memoriam:

Milton Oliver Ruark

November 30, 1933 - August 28, 2015