Harold Ruemenapp
Harold Ruemenapp, 91, died after a lengthy illness. Harry leaves his daughter Barbara, and her husband Mike and their children Meghann and Kathryn; his son John and his wife Sylise; his son David and his wife Linda and their children Adam and Karen; his son Stephen and his wife Heather and their children Sarah, Benjamin, Joey and Bereket; and his sister Lois.
Harry was born and raised in Detroit, served in the army through the Judge Advocate General’s Office at the Pentagon and then returned to Detroit to live in St. Clair Shores and Grosse Pointe. While he never told anyone, he graduated at the top of his class from the University of Michigan Law School and went on to have a lengthy and respected career as an attorney at Butzel Long in Detroit. He served as a managing partner at Butzel Long for many years and also served on the Board of Directors for a number of companies including the Detroit News, Stroh’s, Coca-Cola and Besser. His colleagues in the legal and business world admired him for his quick and insightful mind, his capacity for understanding complex legal concepts, but more so for his honesty, generosity, integrity and overall decency.
Those same qualities that served Harry so well in his professional life were also abundantly present in his family life. Harry was devoted to his wife Mary Ann throughout their marriage, but this was probably no more evident than when he helped guide her through her cancer treatment seven years ago. Though he worked long hours, especially in his early career, Harry was present in his children’s lives when they were young and into their adulthood. He attended dance recitals, baseball, basketball and football games, took his children fishing and golfing, and, as they grew older was always available when they needed some sage advice from someone they knew only had their best interest at heart. He took a sincere interest in his children’s families, their careers and in the lives of his grandchildren.
Harry understood perhaps better than anyone that a brilliant mind such as his was a wonderful asset; but only in how it helped serve your family and others. Harry was fair and honest to a fault. “Always tell people the truth; that way you don’t have to remember your lies,” was an example of his non-dramatic fairness and commitment to his principles. His Catholic faith was an essential part of his life, and it was at the core of his vocations as husband, father, attorney, friend, businessman. His generosity and his commitment to treating people fairly was legendary, and that sprung from his faith life.
As we say goodbye to Harry, we would be remiss if we did not specifically thank the staff at Cedarbrook of Bloomfield Hills and his caregivers at Home Instead. For the last 18 months, they have provided him with extraordinary care and love for which all of Harry’s family is forever thankful. While all of us who loved Harry will miss him, we know that he and his beloved Mary Ann are enjoying a good laugh, having a Manhattan and looking over their family with joy and pride.