Dr. Gary Ruoff

Gary Ruoff’s life began in Carlstadt, New Jersey, where he grew up in a lively city neighborhood filled with the sounds of boys playing stickball in the streets and the steady hum of everyday working families. His mother, Violet, cared for him at home, while his father, Ed was hands talented, mechanical, and dedicated. He built a long career at the Continental Can Company and eventually became the plant manager. Gary admired his father’s work ethic and quiet determination, qualities he would later carry into his own life as a physician, husband, father, and friend.

The late 1930s were tumultuous years as WWII raged overseas and the Great Depression still weighed heavily on American shoulders here in the United States. During such a tense time, it was more important than ever to find moments to celebrate. Nowhere was there more happiness to be found than in the household of Ed and Violet Ruoff. The couple was living in Carlstadt, New Jersey, when they announced the arrival of their baby boy, Gary, on July 28 of 1939.

As a boy, Gary was bright, curious, and always smiling. His laugh, contagious and unmistakable, was already part of his identity. He collected stamps and comic books, loved exploring, and enjoyed the simple joys of childhood. Though his mother was Catholic but not active, many of his friends attended Mass on Sundays, and Gary happily joined them. Faith, friendship, and community were woven naturally into his early years.

He attended East Rutherford Schools, including East Rutherford High School, where he excelled academically. Science, especially chemistry, captured his imagination. He played chess on the school’s chess team, sharpening the analytical mind that would later serve him so well in medicine. He also raised fish for local stores during his teen years. But some of his happiest memories came from adventures with his friend John Ranone. At just twelve, the two boys would hop on a train into New York City, exploring delis, landmarks, and the endless energy of Manhattan. Gary loved the boardwalks of New Jersey, the taste of saltwater taffy, the iconic footlong hot dogs, and the thrill of riding the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. These moments of freedom, laughter, and discovery stayed with him throughout his life.

Gary attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City for his undergraduate studies where he received a partial scholarship, continuing to shine academically. His path then led him to Loyola University’s Stritch School of Medicine, where he began the journey that would define his professional life. During the Vietnam era, he served proudly as a Captain in the Medical Unit of the National Guard Army Reserves for six years, demonstrating both patriotism and compassion.

It was during his time at Loyola that Gary met the love of his life, Cynthia. Their story began at a fraternity party, though not in the typical way. Cynthia and her friend Madeline arrived an hour early, and Gary was the only young man there. He walked down the stairs dressed in a brown suit and tie, looking every bit the gentleman. Cynthia noticed immediately. He offered her a “ginger ale,” which turned out to be a highball, and she quickly handed it back with a knowing smile. Cynthia’s friend Madeline became ill, and she needed to take her home, and Gary insisted on accompanying them - little did he know that the trip involved an L train, a bus ride, and plenty of walking. He and one of his medical school fraternity brothers stayed with the young women the entire way, making sure they were safe.

The next day, he suggested a trip to the Museum of Science and Industry where they could continue to get to know each other. Gary arrived to escort her there only to find out that her father’s TV was broken. They never made it to the museum because Gary ended up behind her father’s broken TV helping repair it, and so they went out for pizza instead. It was simple, unexpected, and perfect. From then on, he called her every Sunday between 6:00 and 6:30. Their next date was a formal St. Luke’s dinner banquet at Loyola, a glamorous evening that marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership. They married in 1965 at Five Holy Martyrs Catholic Church in Chicago.

After marriage, Gary and Cynthia moved to Kalamazoo, where Gary began his internship at Borgess Hospital and Cynthia started teaching British Literature and French at Loy Norrix High School. Their early married life was full of hard work and devotion. Gary was on call every other night, and Cynthia taught until their first child, Gary Stephen, was born in 1968. Laurie followed in 1970. During these years, Gary continued his service in the Army Reserves, attending Monday night meetings, weekend training camps at Fort Custer, and two week training exercises at various army bases across the U.S.A.

Despite his demanding schedule, Gary made time for joy. The family sailed their Sunfish on Lake Michigan, packing picnic lunches and gliding across the water to the state park in Stevensville, where the kids rolled down the dunes. They were proud members of the Grand Mere Yacht Club—an unofficial club that existed mostly on a sweatshirt—and every August they participated in the regatta. Gary often won, and so did Laurie and Gary Stephen. Evenings ended with big gatherings full of laughter and stories.

The Ruoff family loved skiing at Timber Ridge, and Boyne Highlands, and enjoying simple outings to favorite restaurants, or grabbing hot dogs. Gary was an excellent tennis player and so were Laurie and Gary Stephen. He delighted in taking the children grocery shopping, letting them pick out junk food, and visiting sporting goods stores to buy equipment for their many activities. He worked tirelessly, but he always made time for his family. He faithfully drove Gary Stephen to hockey practice at 5:30 am on Saturday’s. He was present, encouraging, and full of life.

Professionally, Gary became a respected family physician and later a headache specialist. He studied neurology, founded a research lab at Westside Family Practice, and conducted numerous studies on headache treatment. He served as President of the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians in 1980 and helped grow his practice from a small office on Milham Road to a large group of seventeen physicians on West Main. His career spanned more than fifty-four years and during that time Gary received The Headache Healthcare Doctor of the Year in 2005 and he was recognized as one of America’s Top Family Doctors in 2008. He served as a Clinical Professor at Michigan State University and at Homer Stryker School of Medicine at Western Michigan University, mentoring future physicians with the same warmth and dedication he showed his patients.

Gary authored over 100 medical journal articles and wrote Knock Out Headaches, a book that offered hope and guidance to those suffering from migraines. He was always learning, always researching, always striving to help others. Even in his later years, he continued studying for neurology and family practice recertifications. His commitment to knowledge, and to his patients, never faded.

At home, Gary was funny, warm, and endlessly loving. He told colorful stories and had a playful spirit. The children remember that he paid each one, a quarter each time he used a swear word when driving in Chicago. Laurie remembers stepping on his feet while doing the “little bunny hop,” and both children remember crawling into his lap while he read the comics. He was always there; steady, smiling, and encouraging. He was also a staunch Notre Dame football fan, and the family enjoyed box seats behind the players. Football was a passion, but Notre Dame only. Gary Stephen followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming both an MD and a DO, practicing family medicine in Traverse City. Gary was immensely proud.

Cynthia and Gary shared a deep love for dancing. His aunt had taught him ballroom dancing, and he was an excellent dancer. They danced together throughout their marriage, including a solo dance as parents of the bride. In Aruba, they took tango lessons from professional dancers, a memory Cynthia treasures.

In later years, Gary and Cynthia enjoyed walking on the beach, traveling to Aruba, and talking for hours. They could talk about anything. Their companionship was steady, joyful, and full of love. Family was everything to Gary. He was warm, loving, funny, and always smiling. His laugh filled rooms. His encouragement lifted spirits. His presence made life better.

He knew his patients deeply, cared for them faithfully. His legacy lives on in the thousands of lives he touched, the family he adored, and the joy he brought into the world. Gary Ruoff lived a life of purpose, curiosity, devotion, and love—a life well lived, and a life deeply cherished.

Gary Ruoff, MD of Kalamazoo, age 87, died on August 10, 2026. He was born July 28, 1939, in Carlstadt, NJ to Violet and Ed Ruoff. Surviving is his wife Dr. Cynthia Ruoff; children: Dr. Gary Stephen (Susan) Ruoff and Laurie (Aaron) Jenks; granddaughters: Elle Lexi Jenks, Emma Leigh Jenks, and Lola Simone Ruoff; his grandson Vaughn Gabriel Ruoff; his sister-in-law Dr. Darlene Ann Osowiec and her husband Barry Leska.

Please join us for a Life Story Visitation on Sunday August 16 at 5 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A Mass will take place at St. Monica Catholic Church on Monday August 17 at 11 AM with a luncheon to follow. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery.

Celebrate Gary’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Monica Catholic School, Hackett Catholic Prep or the American Cancer Society of Michigan.