Arno von Ruckteschell

Dr. Arno von Ruckteschell, age 96, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away Monday morning, April 14, 2025, at his home. He was born on April 23, 1928, in Kiel, Germany, youngest son of the late Nicolai von Ruckteschell and Ilse Helene Edert von Ruckteschell Mohlman.

Arno was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Anne Kurth von Ruckteschell, son Mike von Chamier, daughter Eva-Maria von Chamier, and brother Ingo von Ruckteschell and a step sister.

Arno is survived by his partner Kaethie Petersen, a daughter Jovita Williamson and son-in-law Joel Williamson, son Chris von Chamier, several grand children and great grandchildren. He also leaves other family members and friends who will sadly miss him.

Arno von Ruckteschell was German born and at the age of 33 set up practice June 1st, 1961, General Practice in Punta Gorda. He assisted in delivery and surgical operations in the hospital known as the Medical Center. He was one of first doctors who practiced in Punta Gorda. His degrees were obtained in Kiel and Freiberg, Germany in 1952. He came to the states in 1953 under a student exchange with a foundation grant and served his internship at Presbyterian Hospital, Newark, New Jersey. In 1954, he accepted a medical position with the United Fruit Company and served a year in Panama and returned to the states in 1955 under immigrant quota then became a resident physician at Saint Clair Hospital, Deville, N.J. and later at Warren State Hospital, Warren, Pa.

He became a citizen of the United States on July 15, 1960.He was a World War II veteran and drafted into the German Air Force when he was 15 and a POW at 16 years of age.

He came to Punta Gorda to visit a friend who ran a motel where the Sunseeker now resides. Hendry and Gretel Koehler were his sponsors in N.J. and had moved to Charlotte County. He fell in love with the area and the harbor and purchased land in PGI. He has resided in PGI since 1961.

He had a variety of interests and hobbies during his life. He came from a family of sailors and learned to sail in Kiel harbor early on and always loved sailing and the water. He became a certified diver and went to many places to dive including Truk Lagoon in Micronesia and Cayman Islands and learned underwater photography. He loved to grow plants and orchids, loved to cook a variety of foods and had developed a cheese cake recipe to die for. He hiked in the mountains of Germany, traveled the world extensively, and went RVing for 10 years to Mexico, most of the United States and Canada. He joined the Sunday Regattas sailing in the harbor for several years, built a beach house on Palm Island and designed his first house in Punta Gorda. He always had a thirst of knowledge for Science, History, Politics, Medicine and Cultures.

His family will remember him as an exceptional man in many ways that were subtle yet influential. He was a medical Doctor, Psychiatrist, Historian, Naturalist, Patriot, Adventurer and an amazing individual who had a passion for learning, and teaching to his last days. He had a sharp mind and was literally a walking encyclopedia. He thought out of the box and solved many medical issues – he said if you ask enough questions the patient will tell you. I have to say four of the cases that he solved saved his daughter Eva-Maria, his son Christoph and his wife and baby in her pregnancy. He had the gift of applying knowledge that had wisdom and lasting insights on life. He will be missed by many people.

A celebration of his life will be celebrated at a later date. Dr. von Ruckteschell would request that in lieu of flowers, that you would donate to your favorite charity instead. He was a great proponent of the children’s hospital in Fort Myers. His wishes were to be placed in the Gulf and also Indian Springs Cemetery in Punta Gorda, next to his wife.

Condolences or wishes to the family can be left under his name at neptunesociety.com