Community of Rocklin celebrates Roy Ruhkala Day

In a house on the corner of High and Pine streets in Rocklin, Roy Ruhkala was born on July 28, 1919. It might have been hard to imagine at the time, but exactly 100 years later and only a few streets away, a congregation of extended family, elected officials and many beloved friends would celebrate Roy Ruhkala Day. On Sunday at Quarry Park Adventures, the congregation sang the praises and many accomplishments of the Rocklin pioneer who died in March at age 99. In a touching remembrance of his father, Paul Ruhkala noted how fitting it was that Roy Ruhkala Day happened to fall on a day with triple-digit temperatures. "You know, my dad would enjoy this day," Paul Ruhkala said during his speech. "He'd actually be in a pair of jeans sitting out here and say, 'This is a nice cool day.' He grew up here in beautiful downtown Rocklin and the heat was just part of it…I want to thank you for being out here today, Pops would have loved it." The list of Roy Ruhkala's accomplishments include U.S. Army veteran, former Rocklin mayor and councilman; charter member of the Rocklin Lions Club; first chairman of thePlacer County Water Agency; Boy ScoutMaster of Troop 29; a board member of the American River Authority, a member of the Rocklin-Newcastle GoldHill Cemetery Board and chairman of the Restoration Committee for restoring the Rocklin Finn Hall. Considering everything Ruhkala did for Rocklin, there is perhaps no name more ubiquitous than Ruhkala, a point Mayor Joe Patterson pointed out during his speech. "You can't live in Rocklin and not know the name Ruhkala," Patterson said. "Roy and his family have left an infinite mark on our city that will last forever." For Councilwoman Jill Gayaldo, whose own family has lived in Rocklin for many generations, communicating the significance Ruhkala had on the community to newer residents is important. "So, you drive into Rocklin and you say 'there's a Ruhkala Road, Ruhkala Elementary, Ruhkala Park, the Ruhkala Community Service Awards," Gayaldo quipped with the audience. "And if you don't know, you say to yourself, 'What is a Ruhkala? Or who is a Ruhkala?'… So, what Roy Ruhkala is, is a man who at a time when literally everyone had to chip in to help was the epitome of customer and community service." Gayaldo also sang the praises of Peggy Ruhkala, the wife of Roy Ruhkala, who was also a dedicated servant to the community. Kathie Nippert, Rocklin Historical Society vice-president, noted Ruhkala's importance to numerous organizations and civic roles, and emphasized his caring nature as a human being. "Roy Ruhkala was my friend," Nippert said. "He taught me all about Rocklin and the great history it has. When I joined the Historical Society, he shared his vision for a history museum. He encouraged me to get involved. He showed me how to be a leader. He was patient and never raised his voice. He loved to talk to people, especially children. He knew that children were the future… He loved this town." The life of Roy Ruhkala The following is a biography on the life of Rocklin pioneer Roy Ruhkala, as described in a Rocklin Historical Society published article. The ninth of 11 children born to Matt and Eva Ruhkala, Roy Ruhkala was born in a house on the corner of High and Pine streets in Rocklin on July 28, 1919. He attended Rocklin Elementary School, Roseville High School and graduated from Oregon State University in 1942 with a forestry degree. It was while attending Oregon State University, Ruhkala met his future wife, Peggy. They were married in August 1942 in Klamath Falls, Oregon, where she grew up. During World War II, Ruhkala served in the Army as an instructor in the Field Artillery Unit and attained the rank of captain. After the war, the young married couple returned to Rocklin where Ruhkala began working again in the family granite business, Union Granite Company, on Pacific Street in Rocklin. In 1953, the couple bought would become Ruhkala Monument Company in Sacramento, a business still in operation by their son, Paul Ruhkala. In the 1950s and '60s, Ruhkala's community service work started in earnest. He became the Boy Scoutmaster of Troop 29 and a member of the Rocklin School Board. He was a charter member of the Rocklin Lions Club, which helped put up and name the first street signs. In 1960, Ruhkala was elected to Rocklin City Council where he served a term as mayor. In the 1970s and '80s, Ruhkala became the first chairman of the Placer County Water Agency, a board member of the American River Authority, a member of the Rocklin-Newcastle Gold Hill Cemetery Board, and chairman of the Restoration Committee for restoring the Rocklin Finn Hall. Ruhkala also helped establish the Rocklin Historical Society in 1988 with Marie Huson. Ruhkala was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish with family and friends. Aboard a well-traveled motor home, Roy and Peggy Ruhkala explored much of the United States. Trips to Finland and Sweden connected the couple to their roots. He died this past March 28 and was preceded in death by his wife on Nov. 10, 2000.