Sponsored Sponsored content Edward Wayne Ruisz, 70, of Riegelsville (Obituary Brought to You by Heintzelman Funeral Home)

Edward Wayne Ruisz (1955 – 2025)

Edward Wayne Ruisz of Riegelsville, PA, passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2025 at the age of 70. Ed was born on July 21, 1955 in the Bronx, N.Y., to the late G. Alfred and Dolores Ruisz. He spent most of his childhood in Pearl River, N.Y., before moving to Allentown, where he attended Parkland High School (‘73). Ed attended Muhlenberg College (‘77) where he obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history and education and was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. He was a gifted athlete, competing in track and field and medaling at the Penn Relays. As a young boy, Ed grew up attending Yankees baseball games and West Point football games with his father. One of his favorite memories was when he and his sister, Ellen, sat next to Babe Ruth’s wife at a Yankees game. Ed remained a proud New Yorker throughout his life, and his love of sports from a young age would profoundly influence his life and career. In 1977, Ed began his career as a high school social studies teacher at Palisades High School, where he found his calling as a brilliant educator and beloved football and track and field coach who touched the lives of hundreds of students over his storied 35-year career. Ed left a lasting legacy at Palisades, both in the classroom and on the athletic fields. In the history department, he grew its advanced placement history program as the lead instructor. Over the years, he inspired countless students with his dynamic and engaging teaching style, and as a role model. His commitment to excellence at Palisades also extended to the school board, where he served as a director. As head track and field coach, Ed led the girls team to a remarkable winning streak of 166 dual meet victories, which still stands as one of the most extraordinary accomplishments in Pennsylvania high school sports history. As head football coach, Ed led the team to its first winning season in Palisades school history. In August 2025, several of his former students and assistant coaches petitioned the school board to name the Palisades Fitness Center in his honor, which now stands as a lasting testament to his legacy of leadership, perseverance and personal growth. Ed had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and often spent his time reading and researching everything from history and current events to statistics on his favorite sports and athletes. He was impossible to beat at trivia, and will forever hold the crown as his family’s Jeopardy champion. Ed poured his passion for knowledge, athletics, teaching and entrepreneurship into a new business venture and founded Ed Ruisz’s Speed Advantage Training, which trains student athletes in strength, speed and fitness. His dedication to innovation and excellence paved the way for new approaches to athletic development and performance for students across Pennsylvania. Ed had a deep love for animals, and one of his greatest joys in life were his beloved pets. He loved spending time with his dogs and cats and rescued many animals throughout his lifetime. He often brought his dogs to hospitals to visit sick patients or to classrooms to spend time with special needs students. He generously donated to many animal charities, from local pet rescues to global charities with missions to save endangered species. Ed always believed that everyone, humans and animals alike, deserved the opportunity to succeed and thrive. At the center of Ed’s life was a deep faith, which he practiced through his strong values, generosity and compassion for others. He proudly served as a leader in his community and church, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Springtown. Ed was always willing to help others in any way he could, and had a profound impact on countless lives as a son, brother, uncle, teacher, coach, mentor and friend. He had a heart of gold, a brilliant mind and a radiant personality. Ed dedicated his life to the enrichment of others, and his memory lives on through the many lives he has touched.

SURVIVORS

Ed is lovingly remembered by his sister: Ellen, wife of Kevin Crouse of Alpharetta, Ga.; two nieces: Jennifer, wife of Stephen Gibson, and Kimberly, wife of Mark Steinberg; and one great-niece: Isabelle Gibson.

SERVICES

Family and friends are invited to his visitation period from 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, 2025 at the Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., 326 Main St., Hellertown. The visitation period will be followed by the service at 4 p.m. A funeral repast will be held at the Carriage House at Heintzelmans immediately following Monday’s service. The interment will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Grandview Cemetery, 2735 Walbert Ave., Allentown, PA 18104. To share an expression of sympathy with this family, please visit Heintzelmancares.com.

CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777.