Person:Charles Rugh (2)

Before his medical practice in Klamath Falls, OR, Dr. Charles Vincent "Vin" Rugh had been a pilot in the US Army Air Corps. His squadron flew a "proof-of-concept" air mail run from California to Washington DC. He was the first to fly down into and along the length of the Grand Canyon. His passenger was a videographer who captured the hair-raising feat on film. [1]

"Chuck Rugh is Dead"

Yesterday we got the sad news that Charlie Rugh had died following a stroke. While he left Klamath a few years ago to engage in research work instead of private practice because of his impaired health, somehow it never seemed to many of us that he was gone. Instinctively when something ailed us we would think: "Well, I guess I had better go up and see Charlie." Then we would realize that Charlie wasn't here anymore and we were much disturbed.

Some of us would not be here today if it had not been for his knowledge and skill. He was a true student of his profession. He was never satisfied unless he had read and knew all the latest developments. The early morning hours when many of us were still catching up on the night before, Charlie was studying. And yet with his scientific turn of mind he was a very human sort of guy. He had played rough in this time and understood all too well that none of us was perfect. He could excuse many of the ailments we brought on ourselves.

"Chuck" Rugh was a perfectionist, not only in his work but in his recreations, the only difference being that when he attained perfection in some hobby, he lost interest. He once bowled a perfect 300 game and never bowled again. His trained dogs could do every trick in the book, so he quit to take up magic. When he perfected that skill to where he could have turned professional, he lost interest and stopped. In college he was a good enough musician to sometimes play the flute with the San Francisco Symphony, and he was a clever enough baseball player to be offered a tryout with a big league team.

A Flyer in the Old Man's War, he never got over-seas but risked his neck by being one of the first men ever to fly down inside the Grand Canyon. All his life he went at whatever he did "all out". For years he hunted and fished enthusiastically. In later years he was an ardent golfer tho never top notch, one which bothered him. No man has ever lived more fully nor made better use of his life. We shall all miss him and his place will go unfilled as long as we live. N.R.

Written by Nelson Reed for the Klamath Falls,Oregon "Rotary Record", 9/29/1961. (transcribed by Gerald R. Hurlbert)

An early baby photo of Vin is labeled "Roland" No one seems to know why since his mother referred to him as Vincent in the earliest letters.