Roland L. Ruhl of Champaign, IL and Scottsdale, AZ, formerly of Freeport, IL died Friday, September 8th, in Purcell, OK.

He was born December 13, 1942, in Chicago, the son of Roland A. and Nancy B. Ruhl, the owners of Ruhl's Fashions until the 1980's.

After graduating from Freeport schools he received three degrees from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY: a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering in1965, a Masters in Business Administration in 1966, and a Ph.D. with a major in mechanical systems and design, and minors in thermal power and computer science in 1970. He served as an assistant professor at Cornell in 1969-1970, and then served as an assistant professor (1970-1973) in the Department of General Engineering, at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. He served as a lecturer from 1973 to 1985, after which he did research and university consulting from 1985 to 1997 in the Technology Audit and Assessment Program. He served as an adjunct professor between 1985 and his death. He continued to participate in department activities, including graduate research and department community service until his death.

He moved his family to Freeport from Champaign in 1973 and for a number of years was involved in the Ruhl's Fashions and the purchase and renovation of the F.A. Read Center, along with a computer company and the beginning of Ruhl Forensic, Inc. He began his career investigating accidents in Freeport. His services expanded to include all phases of accident investigations and reconstructions, both vehicular and machinery. A number of other individuals joined the firm and the firm now practices in all 50 states.

While in Freeport, he served as a member of the YMCA Board of Directors. He additionally enjoyed flying, and was a member of the Freeport Pilots Association for a number of years. At the University of Illinois he served on the Presidents Council from 1999 to present, and as a member of the Department of Industrial and Enterprise Systems Constituent Alumni Board from 1995 to present, and Chairman of the Research Committee from 2000 to present. He was elected a Foundation Member for the University of Illinois Foundation in June of 2004.

He was a registered professional engineer in the states of Illinois, Arizona and Texas. He served as head of a number of undergraduate design projects between 1970 and 2000, founding the premier Senior Design Project. His students won a number of national design awards for their projects. He also led a number of graduate students in their industrial research assistantships.

Dr. Ruhl founded and served as CEO of Ruhl Forensic, Inc., recognized nationally as a leader in forensic engineering, accident reconstruction, product analysis and biomechanics. The firm provides state-of-the-art accident investigation, analysis, reconstruction and testifying services nationwide, and additionally to the armed forces in Europe. During the past 10 years Dr. Ruhl has been honored by numerous U.S. military requests to serve as an expert in military trials in Europe. He especially enjoyed defending U.S. servicemen involved in accidents abroad. Ruhl Forensic additionally is the sole representative of the United States at AREC, the European crash testing group of engineers and reconstructionists, with members of the staff presenting papers and gathering data each summer in Europe. The firm is also a member of the European organization ibBExpertisen.

Main offices exist in Champaign, IL and Scottsdale, AZ. His children (Rod-engineer, Andrew-business manager, and Laura-attorney) will continue their fathers legacy in the firm, providing services nationally to the plaintiff and defense bars.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Enstrom Ruhl, his children Roland A. Ruhl and Andrew L. Ruhl (Jennifer Keister) all of Scottsdale, and his daughter Laura Ruhl Genson (Morton) of Chicago and granddaughter Nancy Louise Genson. He is also survived by his sister Rosalind B. Ruhl of Walnut Creek, CA.

Dr. Ruhl placed high value on education and learning; the family will continue that legacy with a donation in remembrance of his 36 year association with and reverence for the University of Illinois to the Department of Industrial and Enterprise Systems, formerly known as the Department of General Engineering.

Rolly, as he was known to all, had a tremendous zest for life. His favorite professor from Cornell days, Jack Booker, wrote to the family this weekend, "As for me, I find myself thinking of the Rolly I knew long ago --- unstoppable energy on flat feet; what a combination! Seriously, many of my best memories of him are funny ones, and I guess that is the way it should be for all of us."