John Robert Ruland, adventure, entrepreneur, and family man, peacefully passed away on Monday, August 25 at his home in Hackettstown, NJ. He was 82.
John was born May 7, 1943, in Manhattan, NY, but spent the majority of his youth living in Dalton, Pennsylvania. He attended Lackawanna Trail High School where he was Student Council president. During this time, he also earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and the motto to do a “Good turn daily” permeated his life.
After high school, he went on to Penn State University and became a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and cadet in the ROTC program. In 1965, he graduated with a degree in mathematics and joined the U.S. Navy, where he served proudly as a First Lieutenant aboard the USS Kepler.
John then settled in Glastonbury, Connecticut, where he started his family and career with IBM. He was devoted to his children, making them the center of his world. John eventually became an entrepreneur, creating his own legal IT Company. In 1991, he moved to Hackettstown, New Jersey, where he married his high school sweetheart, Audrey, and gained two stepdaughters.
Together, John and Audrey created a life worth remembering, traveling the world, making new friends, and watching their family grow. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. He was loved and respected by all who knew him.
John is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Audrey Ruland. He was blessed with his son Todd and wife Deanna, their children Emma and Sophia, his daughter Meredeth and husband Joe, their children Marco and Vinnie, and his stepdaughter Amy and ex husband Ben and their children Anthony and Brendan. He is also survived by his loving brother William and his wife Candice.
John was predeceased by his parents Ernest and Bessie Ruland, stepmother Charlotte Ruland, and by his stepdaughter Andrea Ehmann.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church, 56 Old Turnpike Road, Oldwick, NJ on August 30, 2024, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Zion Lutheran Church.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street Hackettstown, NJ. Those wishing to leave online condolence may do so at www.cochranfuneral.com
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Meredith Ruland says
August 27, 2025 at 10:07 pmHi Audrey – I’m so sorry to hear about John. He was truly a good, kind man. I’ve been reading about all your travels over the years, and it looks like you both had a wonderful time together. I’m glad you have all those memories. Love to you and your family. Meredith Ruland
Antoinette (Tonie) Lalite says
August 28, 2025 at 3:07 amMy Deepest Condolences Audrey to you and your family. My heart is broken for you. John is such a wonderful person.
violet tores says
August 28, 2025 at 8:54 amAudrey Sorry to hear about your loss .You and your family are in my prayers and thoughts Sending condolences to all of you. Love and hugs from Violet Torres.
Rob Thompson says
August 30, 2025 at 11:51 pmDear Audrey, We are so sad to hear of John’s death. We have so many happy memories of our time with John when working together in Bermuda. I count myself fortunate to have had the privilege of getting to know him well, meeting Todd and Meredith and hearing about all your adventures over the years. It was special to meet up with you both in Scotland in 2022 and for you to visit with our family. John was a very special friend – a talented, hard-working and completely honest technology consultant, but most importantly a dedicated family man with a big heart, an easy smile and a real zest for life. We will miss him and send our heartfelt condolences to you and all the family he loved so much. Rob, Lyn, Kate and Lucy Thompson
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