Robert Ruf ('07) served in the U.S. Navy from 1987 to 2002, pursuing his undergraduate education after retiring from military service. While at Augustana University, Ruf studied both art and journalism, often leveraging his artistic talents to support nonprofit organizations that assist children, individuals in prison, group homes, and other vulnerable populations. Ruf described his painting style as "ultra" or "hyper" impressionistic, using bold, vibrant colors, to convey movement and abstract thought. His works frequently depicted surreal landscapes, the beauty of motion, or the serenity found in deep meditation. He primarily worked with oil on canvas or oil on polystyrene. Ruf passed away in August 2020.