Daniel Ruge (May 13, 1917 – August 30, 2005) was an American neurosurgeon. He served as

Physician to the President The physician to the president is the formal and official title of the physician who is chosen by the president to be his personal physician. Often, the physician to the president also serves as the director of the White House Medical Unit, a u ...

under

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...

from 1981 to 1985.

Early life

Ruge was born in Murdock, Nebraska. He received his undergraduate degree from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. He studied medicine at Northwestern University, receiving his Doctorate in 1945. Later, he advanced his studies in surgery at Northwestern University, where he began working with Loyal Davis, stepfather of

Nancy Reagan Nancy Davis Reagan (; born Anne Frances Robbins; July 6, 1921 – March 6, 2016) was an American film actress and First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989. She was the second wife of president Ronald Reagan. Reagan was born in N ...

Career

Ruge became a professor of surgery at Northwestern University Medical School, and Chief of Staff and Chairman of Neurosurgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. In 1976, Ruge relocated to work for the Veterans Administration in Maryland. He was serving with the spinal cord injury service when Reagan appointed him Physician to the President, where he oversaw Reagan's treatment after he was

shot Shot may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * ''Shot'' (album), by The Jesus Lizard *''Shot, Illusion, New God'', an EP by Gruntruck *''Shot Rev 2.0'', a video album by The Sisters of Mercy * "Shot" (song), by The Rasmus * ''Shot'' (2017 fi ...

. He died of a ruptured

aortic aneurysm An aortic aneurysm is an enlargement (dilatation) of the aorta to greater than 1.5 times normal size. They usually cause no symptoms except when ruptured. Occasionally, there may be abdominal, back, or leg pain. The prevalence of abdominal aortic ...

on August 30, 2005, at age 88, in Denver, Colorado.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ruge, Daniel 1917 births 2005 deaths American neurosurgeons Physicians to the President North Central College alumni Northwestern University alumni Northwestern University faculty