Obituary for Thomas Rue (Guest book)

A candle was lit by SL on December 15, 2019 7:44 PM

Message from Pat Stanley

January 2, 2017 4:21 PM

God bless you, Virginia. I just now read about Tom's passing. I'm a bit late, but I live a few miles from Napa now. My long-distance (from Nevada) thoughts are with you.

Message from Loretta McDonald

January 1, 2017 4:59 PM

Virginia, I am so sorry to hear about Tom's passing. I know words of comfort help so much but also know that the deep loss seems to always be there. May you find comfort knowing how much we all care for you at this difficult time. Love, Loretta

Message from Virginia Rue

January 6, 2017 10:37 PM

Loretta, I know you speak from experience and how true those words are. I am trying to stay positive, but I miss him very much. This is not an easy path, yet at least half of us will have to follow it as the ones left behind. Thank you for your comforting words.

A candle was lit by Sally Jensen Dutcher on December 27, 2016 9:33 PM

Message from Nancy Kowalkowski

December 22, 2016 10:22 PM

Virginia, My condolences to you and your family. Mr. Rue was one of my favorite teachers at St. John's. He also taught my sister, Jeanie, and he always challenged us to think outside the box! My mother (Beth - Mrs. K) enjoyed many years working with him at the school. I am happy you had so many wonderful years of friendship. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Nancy (Kowalkowski) Cooke

Message from Virginia Rue

December 23, 2016 6:41 PM

Nancy, I don't need to tell you how special you and your family were to Tom. He remembered both you and Jeanie fondly, and he treasured his continuing relationship with your dad, Bob, and your mother, Beth. I hope that your mom is doing well and even though I know she misses your dad, she still has her wonderful daughters near her. My best wishes to you all in the New Year.

A candle was lit by Kathy Lou Martin on December 15, 2016 9:51 AM

A candle was lit by Bob and Olive Kulas on December 14, 2016 2:56 PM

A candle was lit by Linda LaForge on December 13, 2016 6:23 PM

Message from Brooke Bledsoe

December 13, 2016 6:02 PM

"Mr. Rue" were powerful two words for my children who had the privilege of having him as their teacher and principal at St. John's...Dan and Kelly Lann. Kind, fair, stimulating and beloved are a few adjectives to describe Mr. Rue!

Message from Virginia Rue

December 18, 2016 9:17 PM

Thank you for sharing your memories of my beloved Tom. I remember him talking about the Lann's from his days at St. John's. In later years, he liked to reminisce about conversations that he had with "his kids" during his teaching days. The Lann's were included in many of those memories.

Message from Marcia and Robert Garcia

December 12, 2016 4:28 PM

We are saddened to learn on Tom's passing. I recall his cheerfulness and positive attitude on the few occasions that our paths crossed, and I know that his life was richer with you by his side. Please know that you are in our thoughts. Marcia and Robert Garcia

Message from Virginia Rue

December 18, 2016 9:24 PM

Thank you, Marcia and Robert. Tom used to love the Vintage-sponsored band reviews downtown. I remember sitting on the steps of the now-closed post office with him while we enjoyed the marching bands. You were busy band parents helping to organize the day. I miss him so much and memories like these keep him alive in my heart.

Message from Caroline Bettencourt Gerlomes

December 12, 2016 2:12 PM

So sorry to hear about Mr. Rue's passing. He was such a patient and kind man and an excellent teacher. Keeping the Rue family in my prayers.

Message from Virginia Rue

December 18, 2016 9:25 PM

Thank you, Caroline. You know that you held a special place in his heart.

Message from Elizabeth Rogers

December 12, 2016 1:43 PM

Dear Virginia - I am sorry to read about your husband's passing. I did not know him, but he sounds like a great guy and he must have been, if he was married to you! Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time.

Message from Virginia Rue

December 18, 2016 9:35 PM

Liz, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. Tom was in four different hospitals in three weeks, and my life went on hold because I stayed with him wherever he was. I have not been able to "face" Face Book and have been off line since he fell ill. Know that that there was room in my heart for you and Travis, but the physical challenges of being so many places over the past few weeks, have left me drained. Thank you for your kind words. Tom was a wonderful man who inherited genes that played a large role in his epic battles with heart disease. He fought bravely to the end, and nearly rallied once again, but a final, fatal heart attack took him away. I miss him terribly, but am so thankful that we had 50+ years together.

Message from Susan Wight

December 12, 2016 1:09 PM

Dearest Virginia, I was so sorry to read of Tom's passing. I hope you are comforted by the last hours and the many, many extra years you had together. The obituary was a great tribute to a wonderful man. Thinking of you, Susan Wight

Message from Virginia Rue

December 18, 2016 9:40 PM

Thank you, Susan. Tom had many battles to fight over the years, but each one seemed to strengthen our bond to one another. It is hard to let him go, but we both knew that we would face this time and tried to prepare for it. I miss him terribly, but am trying to heed his deathbed advice to me not to be sad, but to celebrate the years we did have together.

Message from Marni Luchsinger

December 12, 2016 10:40 AM

Mr. Rue was my favorite teacher at St. John's!! My condolences on his passing.

Message from Virginia Rue

December 18, 2016 9:43 PM

Thank you, Marni. He often reminisced about his days at St. John's, and I remember him talking about you. He shared so many memories from his teaching days. I will miss our evening glass of wine and the flow of memories that blended into the sunset every night.

Message from Patty (Andersen) Ashauer

December 11, 2016 10:38 AM

I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Rue's passing. He will always be remembered as one of my all time favorite teachers at St. John's, and I know many if not all of my fellow classmates feel the same way.

Best of love, prayers and positive thoughts to his wife and family.

Message from Virginia Rue

December 18, 2016 9:48 PM

Thank you for sharing your memory of my dear Tom, Patty. He was a wonderful person, inside and out, and took his role as your teacher very seriously. He knew that your age group needed a balance of preparation in academics and guidance in the choices that would impact your futures. Plus, he had the magic gift of being able to talk to anyone about anything. He could always find common ground. It warms my heart to know that at such a young age, so many of his students understood that, too.

Message from Berton Ashman, MD

December 11, 2016 8:47 AM

I was saddened to learn of Tommy's passing but gladdened to read about his successful and productive life. We grew up together in Norfolk, living about one block from each other. We were inseparable best friends from about age 7 or 8. We lost contact with one another when he joined the army and I went off to college. He always was an avid reader and had a great interest in history. I regret that we didn't keep up with each other over the years, and I send my sincere condolences to his wife and family.

Message from Virginia Rue

December 18, 2016 9:13 PM

He often spoke of you and your friendship and wondered how you were doing. I do not believe he knew that you chose medicine. At least he never mentioned it. He told me of a happy childhood, and you played an important part in that period of his life. His love of reading and learning never waned. He left behind half read books on a variety of topics. He always had four or five books to read at the same time, and he amazed me at how he could remember details of every book he consumed. It made for lively discussions, even as his health declined. He fought the good fight against heart disease for many years. Even this time, we thought he would be successful--and he was for 2 days following a procedure to place 2 stents at the Kaiser-Permanente High Risk Heart Center in the Silicon Valley, but then he had another, final heart attack from which he simply could not recover. Thank you so much for posting about your friendship with Tom. It helps to bring alive the memories he shared with me so often over our years together.

Message from Robert J. Romero

December 10, 2016 10:35 PM

Dear Mrs. Rue:

My condolences to you and your Family. Mr. Rue was my 8th grade teacher at St. John's many years ago. He also taught my bother and sister, Jess and Mary. He was a great teacher, and lessons learned in his classroom have stayed with me. May he Rest In Peace. Robert J. Romero, Esq.

Message from Virginia Rue

December 18, 2016 9:52 PM

Roberto, thank you so much for sharing. Whenever Tom talked about the Garcias, he would remind me that he had taught all three of you. He loved to reminisce about his days at St. John's and his experiences with the students there dominated his memories. I haven't seen you for a long time. I hope that all continues to go well with you and your family.

Message from Mignon Graham

December 10, 2016 8:16 AM

Dear Virginia,
I am so sorry to know of the passing of your handsome, talented and kind husband. May your memories of life together sustain you through the coming times. Very sincerely,
Mignon

Message from Virginia Rue

December 18, 2016 9:55 PM

Thank you, Mignon. I appreciate your kind thoughts and words. I miss him very much, but have many, many wonderful memories to keep him near.

Message from David Brown

December 9, 2016 6:29 PM

Virginia: So sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He's well, but I know how difficult this must be for you. Your greatest comfort may be in knowing you had such great years together. Best wishes.
David Brown

Message from Virginia Rue

December 18, 2016 10:02 PM

Thank you, David. Tom and I thought we were ready for this, but then I discovered that one can never be ready. I do miss him terribly, especially now that I am home again. I am trying to honor his deathbed wish for us not to be sad, but to celebrate the 50+ happy years we shared. Not easy, but I am trying. Of course, you are right. He is in a better place. I will be okay. So much to do, two states, two funeral homes, two cemeteries...details, details, details. And now the paperwork. I am grateful to be so busy. Thank you for your comforting words of support.

Thomas Rue

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