Carleton ‘Carl’ Ruthling — Computer Scientist

Carleton ‘Carl’ Ruthling — Computer Scientist (November 29, 2009)

Carleton “Carl” Ruthling, 76, a retired computer scientist who worked for companies such as Computer Science Corp. and Univac and who was active in community outreach programs, died Nov. 29 [2009] at Reston Hospital Center. He had pneumonia.

Mr. Ruthling, a Vienna resident, worked in the computer field from the late 1950s to mid-1990s and at one time was project manager for a third-generation computer created by Sperry Rand, the equipment and electronics company.

In the late 1960s, he helped start Annandale Christian Community for Action, a coalition of churches that helps low-income families. He also helped raise money to start a hotline for troubled teenagers in Northern Virginia.

Later, he helped persuade the Alexandria City Council to establish a halfway house for teenagers with drug problems. He opened his home as a halfway house to prisoners, troubled teenagers and the homeless.

For the past 10 years, Mr. Ruthling was active as a house leader for Habitat for Humanity in Fairfax County, and he was a blood donor to the Inova hospital system.

Mr. Ruthling was born in Santa Fe, N.M., grew up on the family farm in Tesuque, N.M., and attended the University of New Mexico. He served in the Air Force in the mid-1950s as a pilot.

He was a past president of the Great Falls Lions Club and an usher at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Great Falls.

His marriage to Anne Harkins Ruthling ended in divorce.

Survivors include two sons, Frederick “Fritz” Ruthling of Memphis and Carleton R. Ruthling of Beijing; a twin brother [Ford Ruthling]; a sister [Theo Ruthling Raven]; and two grandchildren.

Source: Washington Post

Ruthling-related files and materials