It has come to our attention that we are rapidly losing members of our community, friends and supporters of ACB. In order to honor these people whose lives have impacted us, in large and small ways, we are publishing this column, "Passings." In it, we will include brief obituaries of those who have passed away. See below for the format in which to submit information.
Obituary Format
Please include as much of the following information as possible when submitting material for this column. Submissions must involve dates no more than six months from intended date of publication. Send your articles to [email protected].
Name (first, last, maiden if appropriate)
City of residence (upon passing)
State/province of residence (upon passing)
Other cities/states/countries of residence (places where other blind people may have known this person)
Occupation
Date of death (day if known, month, year)
Age
ACB affiliation (local/state/special-interest affiliates or national committees)
RUTLEDGE, DAVID M. "RED"
David M. "Red" Rutledge of Prescott, Ariz., died Sept. 7, 2008. He was born May 12, 1923, in Bushnell, Ill., son of Charles L. "Roy" and Lottie Ellen Moore Rutledge.
An insect bite which became infected led to the loss of his eyesight at age 15.
He was the founder and operator of Dave's Schwinn Center for many years prior to moving to Prescott. He was also a long-time ham radio operator and member of the Galesburg (Ill.) Jaycees. He worked at Midwest Manufacturing during World War II, at Barney's Lunch, and with Bill Steagall at Citywide Rubbish Removal.
David was also a guide dog user and a member of the Arizona Council of the Blind. He used Seeing Eye dogs for more than 50 years.
Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Mary; daughter, Kathie; one grandchild and two great-grandchildren; a sister, Doris Agans; and a brother, Robert (Kate) Rutledge of Galesburg. He was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister.
Cremation was accorded, and a memorial service was held in Prescott. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Arizona Council of the Blind or Guide Dog Users, Inc.