Ronald L. Fruitt, 72, of West Lafayette, and formerly of this area, died at 6:41 p.m. March 18, 2009, at Ind. 13 and South Barbee Road, Kosciusko County.
He was born Feb. 25, 1937, in Wabash County, to Floyd H. and Josephine M. Shipley Fruitt. On June 14, 1959, he married Phyllis Ross, who survives.
He started his career at Purdue University in 1962, having positions that ranged from hall manager to eventually vice president of Housing and Food Services. Under his responsibilities at Purdue were The Purdue Student Union, Elliott Hall of Music and The Black Cultural Center. He retired in 1996, with the honorary title of Vice President Emeritus. He served as a special assistant to the director of the Purdue Alumni Association for five years after his retirement. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, West Lafayette. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1954, Purdue University in 1959, and received a master's degree from Purdue in 1965.
He dedicated his life to helping others and always found time to help those in need. He was a member of Lynn Treece Boys Club and board of directors of Home Hospital, both in Lafayette; chairman of Tippecanoe County United Way and board of directors president of Westminister Village, West Lafayette. He was former chairman of the Tippecanoe County Republican Party, former member of the Tippecanoe County Council and member of Ag Extension of Tippecanoe County. While at Purdue he was involved in Sir Sire of the Purdue Glee Club, advisor to The Rheamer Club and awarded Old Masters honorary from the University. He was an avid supporter of all Purdue athletics being heavily involved with the John Purdue Club, Downtown Grid Iron Club and Fast Breakers. He and his wife only missed four home football games since 1962.
Also surviving are three sons, Mark, David and Steven (and spouse Debbie) Fruitt, all of West Lafayette; a daughter, Nancy (and spouse Dave) Halsema, Springboro, Ohio; three brothers, Eldon (and spouse Marianne) and Danny (and spouse Debbie) Fruitt, all of North Manchester, and Leon (and spouse Addie) Fruitt, Florida; six sisters: Joan Franklin, Fort Wayne; Norma (and spouse Todd) Rager, Roann; Carol (and spouse Max) Richard, South Bend; Janet Michael, Chicago, Ill.; Janine (and spouse Anthony) Batta, West Lafayette; and Sharon (and spouse James) Dunnuck, Columbia City; and three grandchildren, Mya Rose Fruitt and Nick and Megan Halsema.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, 1700 Ind. 26W, West Lafayette, with the Rev. Daniel J. Berger officiating. Additional services will be at 11 a.m. April 18 at Eel River Community Church of the Brethren, 2507 E. Ind. 14, Silver Lake. Burial will be in Fisher Cemetery, Sidney.
Calling will follow the service.
McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, is in charge of arrangements.
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Memorials to the Purdue Musical Organization - Ronald L. Fruitt Memorial Fund, 403 W. Wood St., West Lafayette, IN 47907. Make checks payable to Purdue Foundation with notation to PMO.
