Kenneth ‘Pete’ Rukenbrod

Born on June 5, 1929 to Kenneth E. and Pauline Ashbaugh Rukenbrod, Pete was the third generation owner/operator of the Rukenbrod Meat Market. He also owned and operated the Bulldog Restaurant and the Country Belle Restaurant with his business partner Carol Walters Kirtley.

In addition to his business activities, Pete was a well known musician for over 75 years, playing the trombone and the piano in various local bands, dance clubs and restaurants including The Pete Rukenbrod Dixieland Band, Wm Jackson Talk of the Town Band, Kenny Moore Band, Neil’s Restaurant and The Shamrock Inn. He and vocalist Jay Dee Pamer entertained at area assisted living facilities, musical venues and social gatherings as Songs by Two for 15 years. Pete continued to perform until 2020 when the pandemic prevented it.

Pete was a mainstay at the East Palestine Country Club from the 1940s until 2021 playing golf, serving on the board of directors and working as a starter until the age of 90 and just visiting with the golfers.

He was proud to have played trombone in the national championship winning American Legion Quaker City Marching Band under the direction of Chester Brautingham which traveled to Miami for the National American Legion Convention and to Washington DC to represent Ohio in the inaugural parade of President Eisenhower.

His greatest joy came from accompanying the soloists and playing in the East Palestine Minstrel Show Band which included his son Fritz Rukenbrod and great friend Jim Wilson. Pete and Fritz’s participation for over 40 years helped the East Palestine Eagles to raise money to donate to many local charities.

Pete was a 1947 graduate of East Palestine High School and attended Baldwin Wallace College before returning home to work in the family business. He served in the 135th Field Artillery Battalion of the Ohio National Guard before activation to active duty at Camp McCoy Louisiana during the Korean conflict.

He served as a board member of the First National Bank of East Palestine and the East Palestine Country Club, member of the United Methodist Church of East Palestine, East Palestine Eagles Aerie 1506 and Moose Lodge 467.

Pete is survived by his son Fritz (Wendy) Rukenbrod of East Palestine, daughter Jenny Rukenbrod of Lisbon, sister Kay Rukenbrod Beck, Taren and Torey Beck and families of Seattle Washington, Gwynne (Matt) Rukenbrod Smith of Asheville NC and John (Nicole) Rukenbrod and family of Euclid, Ohio. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews from his marriage to Mary Bott Dickey.

In addition to his parents, Pete was preceded in death by his brother John “Jack” Rukenbrod of Cleveland and his 101 year old life long friend Bob Davis.

The family wishes to thank Pete’s (Dad’s) Community Hospice team in particular Nurse Tom, the Christian House staff, Roadhouse breakfast crew and staff and his friends and neighbors Pat Hull and Barb Lynch.

In lieu of flowers, material donations can be made to Social Concerns, c/o Barb Lynch 375 E. Grant St., East Palestine, Ohio 44413, East Palestine Eagles Aerie 1506, 3 E. 320 E. Taggart St., East Palestine, Ohio 44413 or Community Hospice, 2341 E. State St., Salem, Ohio 44460.

A public celebration of life will take place on Thursday, November 4 beginning at 4 p.m. in the East Palestine Eagles Aerie Social Hall where a buffet will begin at 4:30. A private interment will be held at a later date at Glenview Cemetery.

Linsley-Royal Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Family and friends may sign the guest book and share a memory for the family at www.linsley-royal.com.

11/2/21