Enterprise, Oregon
Bruce A. Rutherford died April 16, 2007, at his Pullman, Wash. home. He was 82.
Mr. Rutherford was born on a farm Aug. 18, 1924, near Landis, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Merrill and Gladys McHargue Rutherford. He grew up in Enterprise and graduated from high school there in 1942.
He attended WSU in Pullman, Wash. for a brief time before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. He served during World War II as a bombardier and radar observer operator. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Warnock in Carlsbad, N.M. on Sept. 9, 1944.
Upon being honorably discharged from the military, he returned to WSU and completed his degree in electrical engineering in 1948.
The couple made their home in Pullman and he began working for the building and grounds department at WSU. He worked his way up in the department and became Director of the Physical Plant in 1965. He retired from WSU in 1976 and then sold real estate in the Pullman area for several years. Mr. Rutherford loved golfing, fishing and hunting and he enjoyed woodworking. He was active in the Community Congregational Church and served on several boards. He was also a member of the Pullman City Council for nine years. He was a member of the Pullman Lions Club and the American Legion.
He is survived by his wife Betty; three children Susan Muller of Carson City, NV., Gregory Rutherford of Chewelah, WA. and John Rutherford of Pullman; six grandchildren and a brother, Robert Rutherford of Prescott Valley, AZ.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials are suggested to Friends of Hospice or to Pullman Regional Hospital.
Wallowa County Chieftain, April 26, 2007
Contributed by Dixie Ricker
