Thomas Rue

THOMAS BENTLEY RUE

1937-2016

Thomas Bentley Rue was born to Loring and Lorene (Land) Rue on March 13, 1937 in Norfolk, Virginia.  Tom departed this life on November 27, 2016, having successfully fought heart disease for an amazing 44 years.  Excellent care by Kaiser Permanente and Queen of the Valley Hospital professionals, the support of family, and the wonderful friendships he shared, remained a constant in his life as he won battle after battle—in 1972, 1980, 1990, 2006.  At age 79 he faced his last battle on November 27 with courage and self-determination.

Tom grew up during World War II, idolized the soldiers who fought that war, and enlisted in the army as soon as he graduated from Maury High School in Norfolk, Virginia in 1956.  He served at several U.S. Army posts in the United States and spent over two years in what was then the Panama Canal Zone, serving as a radar operator and technician for the last Anti-Aircraft Battalionin the U. S. Army.  He considered that experience to be one of the great adventures of his life.

Following his discharge from the army, Tom enrolled at the Norfolk College of William and Mary,now Old Dominion University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in history. 

In 1963, Staff Sergeant Rue was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U. S. Air Force and served with the Strategic Air Command.  During the Viet Nam war, he served in South Korea with the 6246th Air Force Advisory Group and was promoted to Captain.  Upon returning to the U.S., he served as a division chief with the U. S. Air Force Office of Special Investigation in New York.  He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.  He was a member of the American Legion, the Commemorative Air Force, and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  In retirement, his interests centered on preserving the historical artifacts of WWII.  He was a founding member of the American Air Museum in Britain and a contributing member of the Women’s Air Service Pilots’ Museum in Sweetwater, Texas.

Tom met his future wife, Virginia Dare Hardee of Hampton, Virginia, while they were in college.  Following her Peace Corps service in Colombia, S.A, they were married in the chapel at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.  When his military service ended, he worked for several business interests in San Francisco and taught at St. John’s Catholic School in Napa.   Since 1972, he and Virginia have made their home in Napa, California.

Tom is survived by his wife, the former Virginia Dare Hardee of Hampton;nephew, Dr. Loring W. Rue of Birmingham, Alabama; niece Leslie Drehoff (Richard), his grandnephews, Richard, Andrew, and Daniel Drehoff and his first cousin, Pat Reed (Kerry) of Norfolk.  Tom is also survived by his wife’s family, the Hardees, who considered him to be one of their own.

Before he died on November 27, 2016, Tom and Virginia had several hours to share their memories and reflect on their wonderful life together.  They considered themselves to be the lucky ones, who met in college and remained a loving couple for over 50 years. 

At Tom’s request, a private burial was held on December 10, with his family and extended family in attendance at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia, where his ancestors since the 1800’s are gathered.  No public service is planned for Napa.  A remembrance luncheon for friends is planned on January 27, 2017 to celebrate the 44 years of support, friendship and love that he enjoyed during his life in Napa.  On-line guestbook at www.tulocaycemetery.org.

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