Ruhl, Kathleen Marie Obituary

Ruhl, Kathleen Marie attended Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Ruhl, Kathleen Marie.

Graduation Year	Class of 1965
Date of Passing	Apr 15, 2008
About	Kathleen "Kathy" Ruhl, a professional singer and musician who entertained troops in the Vietnam War, performed at the Grand Ole Opry and raised money to help with cancer and HIV, has died at age 60. Kathy died peacefully at her Sacramento home after several years of health complications from auto crash injuries, said her life partner of 20 years, Sandy Hasty. Ms. Ruhl sang and played bass guitar in several bands, including the Charades, Lucky Numbers, Shilos, Bryte Sisters, and Coquettes. She performed rock, pop, and country music for many years in Las Vegas show rooms, East Coast venues and even the Grand Ole Opry. She was a naturally gifted artist who did comedy and mostly taught herself to play 18 instruments. Like her show business idol, Judy Garland, she was a charismatic entertainer who connected with captivated audiences, said family and friends. "Performing was always her ambition," said her sister, Muriel Denno (Husband Lee). "She loved the accolades and applause." Adventurous and independent, Kathy gave up a steady bank job after graduating from Elk Grove High School in 1965 to pursue her dreams of making music. The proud daughter of a Navy veteran, she volunteered to in 1968 to entertain U.S.troops in Vietnam. For two years, she performed for soldiers on isolated fire bases, often cutting songs short to race for bunkers as Viet Cong rockets flew overhead. In 1989, she reunited with other band members who recalled the dangers they faced as part of special episode of the TV show, "China Beach." She received a Peabody Award for for show "souvenirs." "Kathy was always quite patriotic," said Fran Tutt, a drummer who preformed with her in Vietnam. "That was a childhood dream of hers, to entertain the troops in a war zone." She was designated an Honorary Navy Lieutenant. The experience strengthened Kathy for other challenges, friends said. In 1989, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and under went a mastectomy. She later started the New Hope Cancer Foundation to raise money and screening awareness. In 1990, she received a liver transplant for Hepatitis C she contracted in Vietnam. The following year she won a silver medal in golf at the Transplant games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Proud of commendations she received from military units in Vietnam, she co-founded the Twin Spirits Veterans Association for gay and lesbian veterans. She was director of the Metropolitan Community Church of Sacramento and organized fund raisers for programs helping people with HIV and AIDS. Kathleen was born May 24, 1947 in Sacramento. Her parents Hollie and William Ruhl, worked at the Sacramento Army Depot and owned Broadway bait and Tackle Shop. Until slowed by cumulative toll of illness and injuries, she was an athletic woman who won many golfing and bowling trophies. She served as a delegate to a Metropolitan Community Church International conference and organized music fund raisers for programs assisting the hungry and homeless people. "From all those hearts of preforming, Kathy could walk into a room and absolutely galvanize people," said the Rev. Freda Smith of the Metropolitan Community church. "She inspired people to involve themselves in projects that helped others." A special thanks to all who cared for Kathy; UC Davis Dr. Kay Nelsen, and the staff of the Methodist and Kaiser Hospitals. Friends were invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, April 26, 11:00 am at the Metropolitan Community Church (Mather Field), 10500 Chaplin Avenue, Sacramento; Rev. Freda Smith presiding - In formation from the Sacramento Bee and Christine (Lowery '66) Smith.