John Ruan III

Des Moines philanthropist and businessman John Ruan III died Saturday September 11 2021 after a long illness. Ruan III, 78, died peacefully while surrounded by his family, according to a news release. He was succeeded in August by his son John Ruan IV as the chairman of Ruan Transportation and other companies owned by the family, and Ruan IV was elected chairman of Bankers Trust, a financial services company headquartered in Des Moines, in May, according to the release. Ruan III's late father resurrected and brought the World Food Prize to Des Moines. The family's World Food Prize Foundation fights hunger in the world, according to the release. Ruan III was a strong advocate for truck drivers and the transportation industry, according to the release. Ruan III also served on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce board of directors and chaired the U.S. Chamber board in 2011. Ruan III also served on the boards of Hubbell Realty, the Iowa Business Council, the Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Downtown Community Alliance. He attended Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana, and received a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he joined the family company, where he served in operations, administrative and sales positions. He also graduated from a program for management development at Harvard Business School. John Ruan III is survived by his wife Janis, his children John IV (Alison) and Rachel McLean (Ben), and grandchildren Abigail, John, Catherine, Jack, and Emma.