Malcolm Ruddock

Malcolm I. Ruddock, 78, of Newtown Sq., PA, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on January 8, 2021, at Bryn Mawr Hospital after a brief illness with Covid-19.

Mal was born on September 2, 1942, to Malcolm I. Ruddock, Sr., and Ruth Ruddock (née Brown) and spent his childhood in Garden City, NY.

He received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse University and an MBA from Columbia University. Mal began working for Sun Oil Company in 1968 and retired in 2000 as Treasurer. He served on the Board of Directors of SunGard Data Systems, Inc. from 1983 to 2005.

Mal was an active member of his community, serving on the United Way’s Board of Directors in his younger years and as a volunteer at Bryn Mawr Hospital in his retirement, where he put his passion for tinkering to use in the basement repairing wheelchairs.

Mal had a passion for fixing things and was known as “Ace” by his daughters. He could fix anything and had a toolbox for every type of home repair. His skills in this area began in his childhood when he would take apart the family’s appliances to see how they worked and then put them back together again.

He had a past as a mischievous little boy, and his daughters were enthralled during their childhood by stories about the adventures of “Little Malcolm.”

Mal loved nature. He had a barometer on the wall in his house and a rainfall measure in the yard. He imparted to his daughters a love for thunderstorms, the ocean, and snow. He built elaborate sandcastles for his children and grandchildren and was an excellent skier, sailor, and body surfer.

He loved being a grandfather and was devoted to his 15 grandchildren. Time spent with “Pa” included everything from board games to hide-and-seek.

Mal was predeceased by his parents; his high school sweetheart and first wife, Regina Ruddock (née Kennedy), to whom he was married for 37 years; his precious grandson Jack-Jack Ruddock; and his sister-in-law Eileen Tonsmeire.

He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 15 years, Paula Ruddock (née Slawter); daughters Lora Brecker (Andrew), Sharon Ruddock, and Janet Murnaghan (Francis); stepsons Richard Magenheimer (Cynthia) and Jeffrey Magenheimer; grandchildren Regina, Maggie, and Brian Brecker; Robinson, Jayden, Sawyer, and Alex Ruddock; Sarah, Ella, Sean, Finn, and Beckett Murnaghan; and Samantha and Alyssa Magenheimer; sister Martha Kahn; brother David Ruddock (Betty); brother-in-law James Tonsmeire; and many nieces and nephews.

Burial arrangements will be private with a memorial service to follow at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jack Academy (jackacademy.com), a school founded in Ghana in the name of his adored grandson.