The Rev. Lee Van Ruckman, Jr., who served in the Methodist ministry throughout Virginia for more than 40 years, died peacefully at his home in Lexington on Aug. 6. He was 85.

  The Rev. Ruckman, who was born in 1918 in Fincastle, Va., was the son of a Methodist minister, the Rev. Lee Van Ruckman, Sr., and Clarice Atkinson Ruckman. Rev. Ruckman was ordained in 1943 after graduating from Duke University Theological Seminary. He met his wife, Gwendolyn Louise Grow, of Lexington, Va., while he was studying at Duke and when his father was pastor at Wesley Chapel in Rockbridge County.

  Rev. Ruckman and his wife, a schoolteacher, served at churches in Albemarle County, Fairfax County, Emporia, Chatham, Hampton, Callao, Vienna, Crozet, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth. An energetic and compassionate worker in the community, he served in the Ruritan Club, the AARP, the Historical Society, among others. Rev. Ruckman was an accomplished baritone soloist. He was also known for the energy, empathy, understanding, tact, and humor that characterized his ministry.

  As an English literature major at Emory and Henry College, Rev. Ruckman loved the English language, just like his spiritual and philosophical leader, John Wesley. He wrote and published poetry throughout his ministry, and a collection of the poems has been recently published and is available by contacting the family. In 1993, Rev. Ruckman visited Aldersgate in London, where John Wesley founded the Methodist Church. During this trip, he preached at two separate Church of England services.

  Following his retirement, Rev. Ruckman continued his ministry by organizing a Police Chaplains’ program, serving at the request of the bishop at the Collierstown Methodist Charge, and filling in for local ministers.

  He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gwen; his children, Karen Ruckman, and her husband Alan Pearce, of Washington, D.C.; and Van Ruckman, and his wife Barbara, of Williamsburg, Va.; and his grandchildren, Chris and Shaun Ruckman, and Emma Pearce.

  A packed congregation attended a funeral service officiated by the Rev. William Thomas, the Rev. Douglas Newman and the Rev. Charles Carroll. Eulogies were given by Rev. Ruckman’s son and son-in-law.