Charles P. Ruch, Boise State’s fifth president, died in Boise from natural causes on Feb. 1, 2025. He was 86.
The Idaho State Board of Education chose Ruch to lead Boise State in January 1993. His first morning on the job he presented the university’s annual budget request to the Idaho Legislature. Thus began an era of strong leadership in which Boise State grew in size and stature.
Two initiatives from the mid-1990s changed the face of Boise State and the community. The development of the College of Engineering made it possible for Boise State to strengthen the region’s engineering and high-tech industries. A move to the Big West Conference enhanced Boise State’s athletic programs, facilities and fundraising capabilities. The campus skyline changed during Ruch’s tenure with the addition of two engineering buildings (Boise State named the Charles P. Ruch Engineering Building in his honor in 2017), a multipurpose classroom building; the Student Recreation Center; completion of the Children’s Center and an addition to Albertsons Library; two parking structures; expansions at Albertson Stadium and an indoor practice facility.
“You can see the incredible impact of Dr. Ruch’s leadership all across our campus and all across Idaho. He helped build a foundation for this university that has helped so many students and researchers succeed and advanced Boise State as an important STEM university for our state. Dr. Ruch positioned Boise State to thrive for generations to come,” said Dr. Marlene Tromp, Boise State president.
Ruch’s other accomplishments include the development of a Canyon County campus (which became the College of Western Idaho) and expanded research and academic programs. The university inducted Ruch into the Boise State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.
A New Jersey native, Ruch earned a chemistry degree from Wooster College in 1959 and master’s and doctorate degrees from Northwestern in 1960 and 1966, respectively. He began his career in higher education at the University of Pittsburgh as a professor and department chair from 1969-74. He spent the next 19 years at Virginia Commonwealth University, serving his final eight years there as provost and vice president for academic affairs, where he managed two academic campuses and a medical school. After leaving Boise State, Ruch served as president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and as interim dean of education at Texas Tech and Armstrong Universities. He returned to Boise after retiring in 2015. During his career, he wrote books, book reviews and research publications.
Ruch was devoted to his family. He married his wife, Sally Ruch, a nurse, in 1960. Ruch is survived by Sally and four children: Cheri, Charlie, Chris and Cathleen, and four grandchildren, Nicholas, Andrea, Michael and Christopher.
A memorial service will take place at a later date.