SILVER SPRING, Md. – Dr. Leonard I. Ruchelman passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025, at the age of 91 in his home in Silver Spring, Maryland.
He was born on June 28, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York to Jacob and Sarah Ruchelman. Leonard is survived by his wife Diana (Hoffberger) in a marriage that lasted over sixty-four years. His two children are Lauren Shaps (Zischa) of Ottawa, Canada and Charles (Cindy) Ruchelman of Silver Spring, Maryland. Leonard was the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren and the great grandfather of 32 great grandchildren. His siblings were Florence Schutzman (predeceased) and Stanley Ruchelman (Joan).
He graduated in 1954 with a B.A. from Brooklyn College and in 1963, from Columbia University with a PhD. in Political Science. He served in the US Army, 1954 – 1956, when he was stationed in Germany. He was a professor at a number of universities, culminating with Old Dominion University (1975 to 2008), where he also served as chair of the Department of Public Administration and Urban Affairs.
At ODU, he attained the rank of Eminent Professor. Among other honors, he was acknowledged as an outstanding professor of public administration by the Virginia Social Science Association. He was a prolific researcher and author, having published eight books and some 28 articles and book chapters in the general area of public affairs. Though trained as a political scientist, he had a special interest in the subject of skyscraper development focusing how such structures impact the city. His book on the World Trade Center was published in 1974.
Funeral services took place at Wellwood Cemetery, Pinelawn, N.Y.