Richard Rufer

Richard "Hawley" Rufer, 76 of Fargo, passed away on February 7, 2012 at Sanford Medical Center. Richard was born July 2, 1935 in Fargo, N.D. to Ford and Gladys Rufer. He attended Pillsbury Military Academy in Owatonna, MN, for his high school years and Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA, earning a degree in Economics and Business. While attending Grinnell, he met his wife, Charlotte. He entered his family food brokerage business - Kuehn, Pearson, Rufer Company (KPR) - in 1958 and retired as president of the company in 1999. Additionally, during his career at KPR, he ventured into a very rewarding career in the restaurant business. After his retirement, he developed Real Estate in the Vail Valley. He was a long time member of the Fargo Country Club, Rotary International, Elks Club, Interstate Gun Club and Ducks Unlimited. He loved his Labrador Retrievers and his passions were water fowl hunting, big game hunting, fishing, snow skiing and he enjoyed his time at the lake with family and friends. The family would like to thank Doctor Gitau and the nursing staff at Roger Maris Cancer Center and Sandford Hospital for all their support and excellent care. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte of 54 years; by his son, Michael and his wife, Darla Rufer and their sons, Robert Vallie and Reed Rufer of Christine, N.D; his daughter, Carolyn Sayre and her children, Christopher Sayre, wife, Nicole, and great-grandaughter, Taylor of Fargo, N.D and her daughter, Shelby Sayre of Colorado Springs, CO. His daughter, Marjorie Perkalis and her husband, Joseph and her three stepdaughters, Denielle, Lauren and Stephanie all of Colorado Springs, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends. Memorials, in honor of Richard, may be sent to Ducks Unlimited. Funeral: Monday, February 13, at 1 pm at First Presbyterian Church, Fargo. Visitation: Sunday, February 12, from 2-4 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo. Interment: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo.