Frank Lawrence Ruhstaller

A beloved family man, consummate host, and admired public servant, Larry Ruhstaller, died peacefully December 27, 2023, at the age of 75 with his devoted wife Kitty and daughter Vanesa by his side. Larry was born on April 3, 1948, in San Francisco, California, the second of five sons. Larry is reunited in death with his parents, Dr. Frank Ruhstaller and Annette Vollmann Ruhstaller; his brothers, David and Ned Ruhstaller; his aunt, Elenor Vollmann DiGiorgio; his cousin, Barbara DiGiorgio Davis; and his beloved pets, Maudie, Tara, Bandit, Buckwheat, Shadow, Theodore, and Sophie. He is survived by his loving wife, Kitty; his brothers, Tod (Sandi) Ruhstaller, and Donald (Kay) Ruhstaller; his children Christine Raney (Michael Stanfield), Colton Weeks (Gregg DeMeza), and Vanesa (David) Beck; his grandchildren, Kevin (Linsay) Redline, Rickson Uresti, Kristopher Rich, and Ace Beck; his great-grandchildren, Sean, Liam, Wyatt, Novalee, and Noah Redline; his cousins Ann Costigan, Chrissy (Ray) Timmerman and Dorothy Moore; his beloved nieces and nephews, Murray (Lisa) Petitt, John (Shannon) Huffaker, Elizabeth Huffaker, Michael (Kristi) Huffaker, Saralee (Dean) Marks, Dr. Kelly Ruhstaller (Mac Measley), Robin (Adam) Hahn, and Kathleen and Rebecca Ruhstaller; most of whom worked by his side at Alder Market at some point in their lives; his canine children, Captain Frank, Teddy; his canine grandchildren Hercules, and Warren G. Harding and countless others that he loved as family.

Larry was raised in Stockton, California, where he and his brothers were playful denizens of the Oxford Circle and Rose & Baker Street neighborhoods in the 50s and 60s. He graduated from A.A. Stagg High School in 1966. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, where he was a Zeta Psi and served as the fraternity hasher, making lifelong friends and creating a new brotherhood in the process. In 1971, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in U.S. History with an emphasis on U.S. city planning. Upon graduation, Larry served as a Lieutenant JG in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam war, and following his military service, he began his career as a restaurateur, managing Tom Ham’s Lighthouse and the Bali Hai in San Diego. Returning to the Bay Area in 1975, he continued in restaurant management, most notably at the Square Rigger in Orinda and the Sea of Cortez on Pier 39. But strong family ties brought him back to his hometown in 1981 and a year later he opened The Alder Market and Catering Company where he met and fell in love with his soulmate, partner, and wife, Kitty. He seamlessly transitioned from a bachelor into an exceptionally steadfast father to her three children. Together, through The Alder Market, Kitty and Larry touched the lives of multiple generations of Stocktonians, helping to create lasting memories at countless weddings, graduations, funerals. And along the way, they provided meals to multiple presidents, vice presidents, governors, senators, and members of congress. Larry began his own career in public service when he was first elected to the Stockton City Council in 1996, where he served until 2004. He continued his tireless efforts to improve his hometown when he was elected to the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors in 2006, and he became a leader in the region on statewide water issues. An indefatigable civic volunteer, Larry served as President to the Stockton Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chairman of the of Asparagus Festival and leader of its Celebrity Kitchen, and on the Board of the San Joaquin General Hospital where he helped implement measures that led to its financial turnaround. He and Kitty recently retired to Springfield Oregon where his daughter, Vanesa, and her family welcomed them with open arms into their home, providing them gorgeous views of the Mackenzie River Valley. It was here that Larry took his last breaths.

Yet despite all these amazing efforts and achievements, he will be remembered by all who knew him for his humility, honesty, generosity, and hilarious sense of humor. Services will be held in the spring at Ruhstaller Farms in Dixon California, details of which will follow for all those wishing to attend. Contributions in Larry’s memory may be made to the California Farmland Trust or Restore the Delta.