John C. "Jack" Ruckelshaus II
January 04, 1930 - May 22, 2015
John C. "Jack" Ruckelshaus
John C. "Jack" Ruckelshaus II, 85, passed away surrounded by loving family
on May 22, 2015. Jack was born in Indianapolis on January 4, 1930 to John
K. and Marion Ruckelshaus.
Jack graduated from Park School. He attended the University of Notre
Dame, earning his Bachelor's degree. Jack began pursuing his law degree
from Indiana University while working full-time. During his last semester of
law school, Jack entered public service as an Indiana State Senator and he
served in the State Senate from 1957 to 1964. Upon his graduation from law
school Jack joined the firm his grandfather established in 1895, the
Ruckelshaus Law Firm.
Jack followed up his work in the Senate with a successful run for the
Indianapolis Public School Board serving a four year term. He was a
member of the inaugural Indianapolis City-County Council, and served as a
Councilman until 1973.
In the 1960's, "Ruck" launched a life-long professional relationship with
firefighters and police officers. He began providing legal counsel to members
of the Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) in 1966. Jack was instrumental in
creating a Legal Defense Fund for Hoosier F.O.P. members. Jack served as
General Counsel for the Indiana State F.O.P., Indianapolis F.O.P. Lodge
#86, Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana, and Indianapolis Firefighters
Local #416 until his retirement in 2012. In fact, Jack served as the first
General Counsel for the National F.O.P. and held that post for eight years.
Jack was a tireless advocate for the entire public safety community, stating
in 1977 that "a civilized society cannot survive when the ordinary institutions
of government unite against the guardians of civilization."
Jack was a member of the Indianapolis and Indiana State Bar Associations.
He practiced primarily in the areas of general litigation, police and fire
associations, and public safety officer defense. Jack was responsible for
several successful court decisions and legislative initiatives that greatly
improved the personal and professional lives of countless police officers and
firefighters.
On January 1, 2012, Jack formally retired from the practice of law with the
firm bearing his name, but remained engaged with his partners and
continued to provide invaluable advice to the firm's remaining members.
Jack is survived by wife, Patricia Carter Ruckelshaus; daughter, Lucinda
Conley; daughter, Jacqueline (Joseph) Sergi; son, John (Mary) Ruckelshaus
III; grandchildren, Jennifer (Dan) Demuth, Bryan (Monika) Conley, Daniel
Sergi, Emily (Brad) Piatt, Drew Ruckelshaus, Maggie Ruckelshaus and John
C. ("Jay") Ruckelshaus IV; great grandchildren, Megan, Carter and Caden
Demuth; sister, Marion (Mark) Ruckelshaus Bitzer ; brother, William D. (Jill)
Ruckelshaus. Jack was preceded in death by daughter, Ruthie Nicholson
Ruckelshaus.
Family will greet friends briefly from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 29,
2015 with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 5692 Central Ave., Indianapolis,
IN. Burial will take place immediately following at Crown Hill Cemetery. A
reception will follow the burial at a location to be announced at the services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are asked to be made to the
Indiana Fraternal Order of Police Foundation, 1427 E. Washington St.,
Indianapolis, IN 46201 and the Indianapolis Firefighters Museum and
Survive Alive, 718 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Jack was a mentor and loyal friend to so many; an endless source of
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knowledge; and a gentle hero to guide you down the path of life.
Funeral Information
Family will greet friends briefly from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 29,
2015 with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 5692 Central Ave., Indianapolis,
IN. Burial will take place immediately following at Crown Hill Cemetery. A
reception will follow the burial at a location to be announced at the services.
Donations Information
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are asked to be made to the
Indiana Fraternal Order of Police Foundation, 1427 E. Washington St.,
Indianapolis, IN 46201 and the Indianapolis Firefighters Museum and
Survive Alive, 718 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Directions
Visitation: Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church
Service: Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church