RuffCHARLOTTE — Edward Carr Ruff, a respected financial professional and devoted Catholic, passed away on Aug. 12, 2024, at the age of 84. Throughout his life, he generously shared his time and expertise with people and institutions he cherished, including Belmont Abbey College, the Knights of Malta, the Salvation Army National Advisory Board, the Charlotte Diocesan Finance Council and more.
His legacy of service continues with the creation of the Edward C. and Joan F. Ruff Seminarian Education Fund and Edward C. Ruff St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Endowment.
An endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is invested – not spent – that generates income to help pay for projects and programs specified by the donor. Endowments are tax deductible and help sustain the strength and viability of the diocese and its entities, paying for capital improvements, charitable outreach, education and parish operations.
These endowments will help fund the education of the diocese’s seminarians and the general needs of St. Vincent de Paul Parish.
Ruff was born in Northern California and began his career in New York City as an auditor, later moving into management consulting at Coopers & Lybrand before joining the U.S. Army Reserve. While in training near Louisville, Kentucky, he met his future wife, Joanne. The two were married in 1964. In 1976 the family moved to Charlotte, where
Ruff had a successful career at Interstate/Johnson Lane, serving as chief financial officer before retiring in 2000 as chief operating officer of IJL Wachovia.
The Ruffs were deeply committed to their four children and their Catholic faith. Before Joanne Ruff passed away in 2022, she was an active member of St. Ann Parish and later St. Gabriel Parish.
“Both my parents believed strongly in giving back to the Church as part of their faith,” said their daughter, Carol Ruff. “He was a financial professional and understood that an endowment could be a continuous gift and help with greater needs.”
Son, Michael Ruff, describes his father as a compassionate person who leaned into his faith through good times and bad. “He gave a lot o==f his time and that really impressed me,” he said. “He cared about other people and people cared about him.”
Jim Kelley, the diocese’s development director, said, “Ed first called me in 2013 and said he and Joanne would be remembering the Church in their estate plans. We are so grateful for their love for and commitment to the Church and its work.”
Fund an endowment
Interested in setting up – or adding to – an endowment to benefit your parish or Catholic school? You can establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a trust or annuity, or a gift of real estate, life insurance, cash or securities. Join almost 1,800 parishioners who have informed the diocese they plan to remember the Church in their estate plans.
For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..