Paul Rueter, age 84, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2025, at Cornerstone Specialty Hospital, Round Rock, Texas. He was born in Buitenzorg, Indonesia on April 27, 1940, to Pieter Enno Rueter and Ernestine Brocx. He survived many hardships as a young boy, including wars, loss of his father and having to escape the violence by leaving his home country for the Netherlands on a long ship ride with his mother, brother and sister. They settled in Petten, Netherlands, where they lived for 15 years in the former barracks of German soldiers.  He and his family endured many hardships that most of us can only imagine, making his story even more remarkable.

After completing his secondary schooling, he enrolled at the Maritime Officers School in Amsterdam, which led to his many successful, interesting, varied and sometimes dangerous, but always intriguing, vocations, including working as a mate/navigator at sea; holding various positions within Western Geophysical as a Scout, Geophysicist and a Manager negotiating with governments throughout Latin America, including facing dangers in the jungles of several countries. After his time there, he started a Geophysicist Consultancy, working internationally, including Latin America, Europe and Africa. Paul's background, including a family with artistic, creative, successful, and adventurous members and some with connections to the sea, contributed to his career development and aspirations.

Paul eventually settled in the US, living and working in the Houston and Austin area. After his wife Sharon passed away, Paul sailed on his own boats for a few years before moving to Sun City, Georgetown in 2012, where he met Mary Lou Harrington. She quickly recruited him to join the Solos dance group and various other clubs, leading to a new, joyous lifestyle, which suited him well. They developed a close companionship which included a joint trip to Amsterdam and throughout The Netherlands where she thoroughly enjoyed meeting his Dutch family. In Sun City Paul's creative side really shined, as evidenced by the engineering marvel he created for display at Mary Lou's corner lot during Christmas: A motorized life-sized scene featuring Santa bicycling with all the presents and his elves frolicking behind. His artistic, creative and innovative treasures showed up on many holidays and occasions, astounding all his friends and acquaintances throughout the community.

Paul will be remembered as the best storyteller ever. He was extremely generous to those he loved, as well as virtual strangers he met during his many travels to the various countries in which he worked and visited. He loved life, observing wildlife, travel, adventures of all kinds, sailing, painting, creating, working hard, reading. listening to music, and dancing. There was nothing that he could not fix or make better. This remarkable man, loved by all who knew him, will be greatly missed.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sharon Woodley, sister-in-law Fransje Brocx-Herselman and nephew Willie Ouwens. He is survived by his brother Roel Brocx and sister Ingeborg Brocx and her husband Tammo Wildrik Schuite of The Netherlands, and daughter, Barbara Lisa Rueter and son Alexis Paul Rueter of Argentina. He is also survived by nieces and nephews: Ellen Brocx, Michiel Ris, Stijn Bart Roet Ris, Mirjam Brocx, Jimmy Ouwens, Vera Ouwens, Cas Ouwens, of The Netherlands; Peter Ijitsch Schuite, Sandrine Katy Marie Suignard, Mailie Nora Schuite, Wayan Kelsey Schuite of France; Wendy Joy Schuite, Dana Bakkenes.  Maaike Jit Schuite, Marvin Leroy Busselaar, Rivaro Edie Busselaar, Indy Schobian Busselaar, of The Netherlands.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Sun City at a later date. In memory of Paul, donations to The American Lung Association (www.lung.org) are appreciated