Richard Mark Ruzika

Richard M. Ruzika, 53, of Greenwich, Connecticut passed away on Monday, May 7, 2012 at a Stamford hospital following a stroke on April 22, three days after surgery on his left knee.
Rich was born on April 16, 1959 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Frank and Miriam and brother to Keith and Frank, who predeceased him. He studied at West Hempstead High School and Columbia University, where he graduated in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in economics. Following college, Rich signed with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League for a brief period.
In 1982, Rich joined Goldman Sachs in New York and went on to serve the firm with distinction for nearly three decades. He began his career as a silver and gold trader on the floor of COMEX, moving to the floor of NYMEX in 1984 as one of the original people in the firm's energy platform. He was a member of the board of NYMEX for nine years. Rich moved to the firm's trading floor in 1990, becoming head of Natural Gas Trading in 1996 and in 1998, he relocated to Baltimore as one of the founding members of Goldman Sachs' electricity business. Rich was named head of Commodities in 2000 where he developed the firm's AssetCo business and was later appointed co-head of Global Macro Trading and then co-head of the Global Special Situations Group. He was named a managing director in 1996 and a partner in 1998.
Rich retired from Goldman Sachs in April 2011 as head of the Global Special Situations Group and a member of the Management Committee, the Securities Division Executive Committee and the Firmwide Risk Committee.
Following his retirement from Goldman Sachs, Rich was planning to start a hedge fund with his longtime friend Joe Howley and former Goldman Sachs partner Lance Bakrow.In 1983, Rich married Ruthanne (nee Millnamow), daughter of James and Marion, who survives him, along with their children Craig, 18, and Caitlin, 17. Their marriage of almost 30 years, was built upon a friendship that started when they were youngsters, grew as they began dating in their teens and only deepened over the years. Their relationship was based upon mutual respect and a shared sense of family. Most of all, it was filled with passion and joy. Those who know Rich also know that beyond his professional success, he was most proud of his role as devoted husband and father.
A public wake will be held on Thursday, May 10 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 31 Arch Street, Greenwich, CT 06830. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Patient Airlift Services, 120 Adams Boulevard, Farmingdale, NY 11735 or www.palservices.org. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 4 Riverside Avenue, Riverside, CT 06878. Please visit www.leopgallaghergreenwich.com