Richard "Dick" Mason Ruitenbeck, 83, passed away in Kennewick, December 6, 2011 of kidney cancer. Born February 19, 1928 in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he grew up, graduated high school, and at 17 joined the Merchant Marines and sailed around South America. He then lived in Richland where his parents had moved to work at Hanford. He married Fran Lennebacker in 1949 and had two children, Doug and Susy. He retired in 1988 after working many years as a radiation monitor manager at Hanford. He loved taking the family on vacations whenever possible and later he and Fran went on many fun trips to Disney World, many various casinos and the Oregon Coast three times a year to walk the beach and look for agates. He had a great sense of humor, and was a multi-talented guy who took care of everything. He was Fran's carpenter, plumber, electrician and mechanic. He was a favorite uncle to lots of nieces and nephews and had lots of wonderful "adopted" grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Florence Ruitenbeck, and sister Jackie Dune Faulk. He leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years Fran, daughter Susy, and son Doug and his partner Julie LaPierre, brothers and sisters-in-law Charles and Elaine Lennebacker, Don and Cathy Lennebacker, and Grace Howard. He also leaves behind his much loved little dog, Stubby, who gave him much joy in his last months. Viewing will be Friday, December 9th, 2011, from 5 to 8:00 p.m., at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union Street, Kennewick. Graveside services will be Saturday, December 10th, at 2:00 p.m., at Desert Lawn Memorial Park, 10thand Union Street, Kennewick.