A Full and Loving Life

Clyde B. ("Bud") Rue was the second of four sons born to the union of Arthur H. and Opal B. Rue. "I was born in Detroit Michigan on August 2, 1934 in the hear of the depression to a family of lower class socio-economic status. My father was deaf since early manhood," Bud recalled in a statement written in 1968.

Growing up in what was then a rural area on the outskirts of Detroit, Bud took an early interest in nature and Scouting and reached the rank of Eagle. In his teens, Bud was waterfront director at a small summer camp operated by Fort Street Presbyterian Church, and was the camp's business manager. "The five summers I spent at Clear Lake Camp will always represent something special to me. I believe it was this experience which most affected my decision to devote my life to education," he reflected.

Working midnights on an automobile assembly line, Bud saved enough to enroll at Michigan State University where he majored in education. He received scholarships from the university and local PTA, and worked at various jobs throughout college. At an MSU dance, Bud met Ann Woldin, who was two years his junior and also studying to be a teacher. Bud served in the Navy's submarine service, as an electrician on the USS Trout, from November 1954 to September 1958. They married in September 1956 in Ann's home town of Bound Brook, New Jersey.

Our first child, a son, Tom, was born in October 1958," Bud wrote. "I had been discharged early from the Navy to return to school. My wife stayed with her parents until the baby arrived. My new family joined me at MSU soon afterward. We spent the next two unusual years in a 30-foot mobile home... The arrival of our second son, David, in January 1960 made the situation a bit more difficult. However, I graduated soon after that, in December 1960, and we went East to accept my first teaching position.

Bud's career took him to several school districts mostly in New Jersey. He taught mathematics, reading, and a few other subjects, but mostly secondary math. Even after completing a masters degree in educational administration at Rutgers University, throughout his career Bud advanced his professional training.

In December 1964, John was born while the family lived in Manville, New Jersey. This was followed by a move to Piscataway and the birth of a girl, Ella Marie, in April 1965.

Another move, in August 1969, found the Rues in Montclair. Out of discussions at Montclair High School between Bud and a few close colleagues and friends, Innisfree was conceived. Their goal was to create a utopian educational living environment in which adolescents would be free to learn and self-actualize at their own pace and in their own style. This led to the purchase of a former summer boarding-house in Milanville, in February 1970. The original Innisfree program operated only two summers, but radically affected the lives of many of its participants. Many other programs have taken place there since then.

In September 1972, for financial reasons, the family relocated to Princeton, New Jersey; and later to nearby Lawrenceville. But they continued to visit Innisfree whenever possible. Finally, in 1989, Bud retired from professional employment.

He and Ann returned to Innisfree, expressing intent to devote their free time in volunteer efforts benefitting the local community. They traveled Europe and North America together, enjoying each other's company.

During the closing years of his life, Bud helped form several organizations dedicated to social justice and human service, and volunteered time to others. On October 24, 1993, during a charity walk-a-thon which he helped organize, Bud's seemingly boundless energy found its limit.

He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who loved him.

Contributions in memory of Bud Rue may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Social Justice Fund of the Upper Delaware Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Milanville, Pennsylvania 18443-0123. The fellowship will divide all such donations equally among the four local charities benefited by the event in which Bud lost his life. These include: (1) Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County, (2) the Wayne County Victim's Intervention Program, (3) Interfaith Outreach United of Callicoon, and (4) the U.U. United Nations Office.