Gary Lee Ruhland died on September 10, 2024 from Parkinson’s Disease, at home in Williamsburg, Virginia. Born on August 29, 1947 in Ottawa, Illinois, Gary was the fifth child of Marie Bieschke and Norbert Ruhland. As a child, he worked in his parents’ business, Ottawa Milk Products, inspiring an interest in food service that led to his graduating from the Culinary Institute of America. After graduation, he served in the United States Army in Vietnam. Gary worked as an executive chef for most of his career, notably with Hilton and Marriott Hotels. He used his artistic talents to create detailed gingerbread houses and ice sculptures. Gary greatly enjoyed gardening, and later in life, explored oil painting. His family remembers him as a quiet man with a sneaky sense of humor, and a proud dad and grandpa.

Gary is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nancy; his three children, Sarah, Catherine, and Adam; grandchildren Mary, Elly, Hal, Cora, Clark, Tessa, and Davis; his siblings Norma Jean, Bob, Al, Marty, Anne, Tom, and Terry; and many other family members. Donations in his memory can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.