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Ruff, G. Robert (George Robert), 1918-2015

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1918 - 2015

Biographical History

G. Robert Ruff (1918-2015) was an advertising executive in Utah.

George Robert Ruff was born on November 5, 1918 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to George Alma and Mary Ruff. He was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and attended Provo High School. After graduating he studied at Brigham Young University, where he also served as editor of Banyan yearbook. During his time at the university he met Betty Clark, whom he married in 1943. They later had four children.

Shortly after completing his degree, Ruff was drafted into the United States Army Air Corps. He served as a pilot and instructor in Italy for three years during WWII, completing 51 combat missions and earning two air medals. After the war he returned to civilian life, beginning a successful career with Evans Advertising in 1946. He eventually served as corporate president. He retired from the agency in 1984.

Ruff was also involved in community affairs. He served on the Sunday School General Board for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 13 years, and as a missionary at Temple Square for five years. He also served as president of the Youth Chorus and Symphony from 1992 to 1999.

Ruff passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 5, 2015.

Citation:
Familysearch, via WWW, Feb. 14, 2020 (George Robert Ruff; G. Robert Ruff; George R. Ruff; b. Nov. 5, 1918 in Salt Lake City, Utah; parents: George Alma Ruff and Mary Jensen; baptised into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1931; d. Aug. 5, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah)

Daily Herald, Aug. 9, 2015 (G. Robert Ruff; attended Provo High School; worked for BYU Press while in college, editor of Banyan yearbook in 1941; served as pilot in U.S. Army Air Corps in Italy, 1942-1945; completed 51 combat missions, earned two air medals; m. 1943 to Betty, four children; worked at David W. Evans advertising, 1946-1984, served as corporate president; served on Sunday School General Board for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 13 years; served as missionary at Temple Square for 5 years; president of Youth Chorus and Symphony, 1992-1999)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

G. Robert Ruff papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 9407
Scope and Contents Contains correspondence, photographs, negatives, printed ephemera, and planning documents produced by G. Robert Ruff. Materials document his work as editor of the Banyan and time as a student athlete at Brigham Young University, his service in the United States Army Air Corps, his career with David W. Evans Inc., his work to establish a school of communications at BYU, and his participation in the BYU Alumni Association. Also includes a collection of digitized family history materials about...
Dates: approximately 1912-2020; Majority of material found within 1940-2020
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / G. Robert Ruff papers

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