Douglas M. "Doug" Rutt's Obituary
Douglas M. “Doug” Rutt
Los Angeles, California
Douglas MacCardle Rutt, 51, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on February 21, 2011 in his home in Cypress, California. Doug was born on December 18, 1959 in St. Clair, Michigan. Doug grew at 304 Brown Street in St. Clair which was the family home for 47 years. He graduated from St. Clair High School in June of 1978. Doug was pictured in the St. Clair County Independent Press in October of 1977, as a member of St. Clair High School Homecoming Court. Doug was a star basketball player (#45) in high school. He was pictured in the Port Huron Times Herald, chuckling as some players from St. Clair and Marysville scuffled.
After graduating from high school, Doug "spread his wings" and drove to Santa Barbara, California. While attending Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), Doug began operating video cameras for college football games. After finishing the Broadcast Program at SBCC, he quickly worked his way into Santa Barbara’s ABC affiliate, KEYTV. There he did camera work and on-air news and sports. Doug moved to Los Angeles, shortly after, to pursue TV production on a larger scale.
Doug soon developed an exciting and dynamic career in Los Angeles. He worked as a Director/Packager for ESPN/ESPN2 directing over 400 workout and fitness programs, including Body Shaping, Kiana's Flex Appeal, Hip Hop Body Shop and more. Doug worked as a Director/Producer of Major League Soccer for Fox Sports and ESPN Game of the Week. From 1990 – 2005, Doug directed and produced Major League Baseball for ESPN. He also directed events in three different Olympic Games: Sydney (2000), Salt Lake City (2002) and Athens (2004). He shared many stories of driving through the mountains in France, while twice directing the Tour De France. Doug’s company, In a Rutt Productions, took him on adventures all over the world, working with people like, Lance Armstrong, Kobe Bryant, Geena Davis and comic, Craig Shoemaker. Doug was a member of the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics-Friends and Supporters, the Creative COW (Communities of the World), ESPN Alumni and the International TV Professionals.
Doug was preceded in death by his mother, Wanda Janice Rutt in June of 1976 and his father Robert Lewis Rutt on February 10, 2009. Doug is survived by his sister, Janice (Mark) Hansen, Ph.D. of Ann Arbor, MI and two brothers Donald (Pat) Rutt of Traverse City and Brian (Kathy) Rutt of Redondo Beach, CA. He is also survived by nephews Josh Rutt of Ithaca, NY, Eric Lippitt of Ypsilanti, MI and Paul Pritchard of Seattle, WA, and nieces Mia (Rob) Campbell of Traverse City, MI, Kimberly Pritchard (Vidar) Landa of Los Angeles, CA and Liesl (Steve) Hansen Spence of San Diego, CA. Doug is also survived by his dear significant other, his "Biscuit", Cyndi Gardner-Brummel.
Doug was Doug, Uncle Doug, Douggie, Uncle Butt and of course Duh Grutt. He loved people and was engaging and outgoing. He was known for his incredible wit, creative sense of humor, sarcasm, intellect and talent. He had an infectious laugh and often brought a sense of comic relief to tense situations. Doug was dearly loved and will be deeply missed. Doug has faced challenges and hardships in his life and has shown incredible strength and fortitude particularly in these last two years. Doug, we are so very proud of you! You touched, inspired, and enriched the lives of so many. This goodbye is breaking many dear hearts.
A memorial service will be held for Doug in his hometown of St. Clair, Michigan, at Young Colonial Chapel in East China, Michigan on Saturday March 19, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. The family will receive visitors Saturday March 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A luncheon will follow this service at the St. Clair Lions Club located at the corner of St. Clair Hwy. and King Rd. in East China Twp.
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