Peter Warren Ruffner

Peter Warren Ruffner, known to many as Dutch, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at his home in Boonsboro, MD.  

He was born March 9, 1947 in Hagerstown, MD to the late Warren George and Julia Margaret Remsburg Ruffner.  

Dutch was a 1965 graduate of Boonsboro Senior High School. He was briefly employed by the Frick Company of Waynesboro, PA prior to enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.   During his four years of service, he spent nearly three years in the Vietnam War.  He received the Navy Commendation Medal for bravery and a Purple Heart during his time in combat.  After his military service, he was employed at Powlen Equipment Company in Hagerstown for 25 years as a heavy equipment mechanic.  In 1992 he started his own business, Dutch’s Equipment Repair, providing mobile repair services over the tri-state area and beyond.  Other servicemen and dealerships valued Dutch’s mechanical expertise as a consultant.  

Dutch is survived by his wife of 54 years, Susie Itnyre Ruffner; and children, Kendra Showe of Williamsport, MD and Dr. Justin Ruffner (wife Delia) of Orleans, MA.  Dutch, known as Pap to his grandchildren and great-granddaughter, also leaves grandchildren, McKenzie (Showe) McCoy (husband, Austin, and their daughter, Emersyn), Mallory Showe (fiancé, Clay Dunahugh), Cooper, Sawyer and Nora Ruffner; his sisters, Margaret Hargett (husband, Raymond) of Frederick, MD and Mary Frances Ellis Bowman (husband, Don) of Williamsport, MD; and numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition, he leaves his faithful lifelong friend, Denny Reeder and wife, Nancy, of Boonsboro.  Dutch is also survived by business partners, Josh Hoy and Jessie Brashears, of Boonsboro and Keedysville, MD, whom he thought of as a son and daughter.  

He was preceded in death by a sister, Julia Ruffner Herrin, of Baltimore, MD.  

Dutch was a member of the Clopper-Michael Post 10 of the American Legion in Boonsboro and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.  

His big green service truck with the US flag and emblem of the US Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima will be missed because “If it ain’t Dutch, it ain’t much.”

Special thank you to Hospice of Washington County for the swift and excellent care.  Many thanks to the family and friends who reached out with a continued flow of thoughts and prayers to Dutch and the family.  

A memorial celebration will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Milestone Barn, 10702 Hopewell Road, Williamsport.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.