Former San Joaquin County Supervisor and current Restore the Delta Board Member Larry Ruhstaller died this past week. Larry is survived by his wife, business partner, and best friend Kitty Ruhstaller, his children, grandchildren, extended family members, associates, and friends. His full obituary will appear in the Stockton Record.
Larry was loved by Restore the Delta staff and Board Members. Kitty told us that we were the last board that he served on and that he was extremely proud of our staff, our work, and the direction that we have taken in our advocacy and projects since rebuilding after Covid. In our day-to-day efforts, Larry was always stepping up, willing to help, encouraging us, and laughing with us at the stressors that we faced. He loved our staff and always interacted with them in a fatherly way. He was always by our side. Nobody else we know could turn a phrase with so much humor when speaking the truth, especially when we need encouragement.
Larry loved people. He served Stockton, San Joaquin County, and numerous Boards from a place of care, civic pride, and a commitment to the greater good for all people. Larry was a real and authentic public servant.
Larry loved his wife, family, and friends fully. He was a leader, a nurturer, a caretaker, and our dear friend.
We will miss him so much, but he will always be part of our ethos at Restore the Delta.