About Rodney
Biography
A retired major general of the United States Army, a former principal of Indiana Area Senior High School and a four-term member of the Indiana County board of commissioners, Rodney Ruddock is a member of the Class of 2023 of the Indiana County Business Hall of Fame.
Rod Ruddock was celebrated as a student, teacher and administrator of the Indiana Area School District, first with a storied career as a student athlete – a member of the Class of 1961 – then for 35 years on the staff including a decade as a teacher, about 15 years as junior high principal and 10 years as senior high principal. He retired from education in 2003.
At Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Ruddock earned a bachelor's degree in math and safety education in 1965, and a master's in counselor education. He pitched two no-hitters and earned honorable mention All-American honors as a baseball player, and has remained one of IUP's most visible graduates. At the university, Ruddock was named to Advisory Committee of the John P. Murtha Homeland Security Institute. He received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1997 and was awarded the President's Medal of Distinction in 2008. For his philanthropic and university support, the Major General Rodney D. Ruddock residence hall is named in his honor.
But it also was at IUP where Ruddock enrolled in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, was commissioned a second lieutenant and entered active duty in 1965. He later graduated from the prestigious Army War College in Carlisle and earned many military honors, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Vietnam Campaign and Service medals. Ruddock was promoted through the ranks to major general during his time in the Army Reserve and retired in 2002 after 37 years of service. His final assignment was the oversight of 22,000 soldiers in five states and Washington, D.C., and administering budgets of $300 million as the commanding general of the 99th Regional Support Command in Oakdale, Pennsylvania.
Rodney Ruddock's most lasting impact on our area followed his education and military years as a member of the Indiana County board of commissioners. Elected first in 2003 and re-elected in 2007, 2011 and 2015, Ruddock served as chairman for most of his 16 years on the board.
The accomplishments attributed to Ruddock and his colleagues during his leadership of Indiana County are innumerable.
During the enhancement of the public safety radio system, Ruddock assured the integration of tower sites for expanded broadband internet service for the purposes of business attraction and bringing vital communication improvements to rural communities.
The county broadened its service to veterans with the construction and location of the Veterans Outreach Treatment Center in Indiana County. His efforts included developing a Veterans Community Garden Homeless Shelter, and instituting a monthly Veterans Community Providers Group.
Ruddock's board forged stronger partnerships with regional economic organizations, which gave Indiana County greater standing in relations with state and federal levels of government.
Rod Ruddock initiated investment borrowing for Indiana County through local banks. These investment strategies significantly reduced the cost of debt services and savings to taxpayers.
Ruddock and the commissioners facilitated a community plan of land acquisition for the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex, and a new, larger capacity jail in White Township.
He also negotiated and facilitated the expansion and location of the Westmoreland County Community College and Indiana County Conservation District to the campus of the Indiana County Technology Center.
Ruddock served 16 years and 4 years as Chairman of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Planning Commission overseeing transportation improvements and regional economic investment strategies for the 10-county region.
At the request of former Governor Edward Rendell, Major General Ruddock served on the federally directed Base Realignment and Closure Commission. He was joined by the late Representative John P. Murtha in the congressional hearings.
Ruddock was active in the Pennsylvania County Commissioner's Association during his 4 terms of service and served as chair of the Committee of Military Affairs.
The Indiana County Commission for Women and the county's National Heritage Inventory were established during his years. He served a term as member of the ATHENA International Board of Directors and was an Indiana County recipient of the ATHENA Award.
Ruddock also oversaw the framing of an equitable financial package allowing the Indiana County Office of Planning and Development and the Indiana County Development Corporation to integrate services under the leadership of a director providing support in the interest of both organizations.
Rod Ruddock's dedicated "Indiana Proud" career as a commissioner, military leader and educator also includes many years of sports officiating, coaching, mentorship of young athletes and sports administration in the Indiana Schools. These merited his induction into the inaugural class of the Indiana High School Hall of Fame, the Indiana County Sports Hall of Fame in 2002, and the IUP Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
Ruddock resides in Indiana with his wife Ellen. They have two sons, Dana and Darin; four grandchildren: Andrea, Reagan, Owen and Daniel; and a great-granddaughter, Abbie.
The Indiana County Chamber of Commerce today presents Rodney Ruddock as the Chairman's Selection for induction into the Indiana County Business Hall of Fame.