Kenneth F. 'Ken' Ruder, PhD, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on December 5, 2024.
Born on November 27, 1939, in Hays, Kansas, to Nick and Hilda (Heronomie) Ruder, Ken was the eldest of six children. Raised on a farm, he developed a strong work ethic and a deep connection to his Catholic faith. He attended a one-room schoolhouse, where he not only excelled academically but also mentored younger classmates-a passion for teaching that would define his life.
Ken graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in speech, language, and hearing after exploring earlier studies in English and engineering. He earned his master's degree at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he met and married Charlotte Collins in 1964. He later completed his PhD in psycholinguistics at the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1969.
Ken's career was marked by dedication to advancing speech-language pathology. At the University of Kansas, he spent 16 years teaching and conducting research at the Bureau of Child Research and the Departments of Speech Language Pathology and Linguistics. He emphasized holistic care for patients and encouraged students to pursue research to improve therapeutic outcomes. Later, as chairman of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Ken continued to inspire students and contribute to his field through publications and presentations worldwide.
Beyond academia, Ken was deeply involved in community service. He coached youth baseball, supported Vietnamese refugees, organized telethons for children with cerebral palsy, and advocated for newborn hearing screenings in Ohio. His volunteer work extended internationally, including summers spent in Lithuania assisting teachers with special education integration.
Ken cherished travel and adventure with Charlotte and their family, exploring the U.S., Europe, and beyond. In retirement, they settled in Colorado Springs, where they enjoyed the beauty of Pikes Peak.
Ken is survived by his wife of 60 years, Charlotte; his children Christine, Maribeth (Keith), and Scott (Jennifer); grandchildren Matthew (Sara Daley), Andrew, Emma, and Nick; great-grandchildren Gideon and Ada; sisters Nancy Augustine and Mary Werth; sister-in-law Rita Ruder; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Roger, Darrell, and Gary.
A memorial Mass and burial will be held at Benet Hill Monastery, 3190 Benet Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80921, on January 18, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Benet Hill Monastery, Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, or a charity of your choice.
Ken will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to others, his sharp humor, and his enduring legacy as a teacher, mentor, and advocate.