Mother Of Slain Rockford Sons Creating Scholarship In Their Honor

ROCKFORD, IL – The mother of two Rockford teenagers killed by their father in a February double murder-suicide is working to create a scholarship program in their memory. The Rock River Times reported Heidi Ruckman started working on the scholarship following the murder of her two sons, Chris, 14, and Jack, 12,who she said were talented musicians. The Rock River Times reported a benefit concert for the Chris and Jack Ruckman Music Scholarship Fund takes place Wednesday night at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, and includes music by a band Chris Ruckman used to play with.

According to The Rock River Times, Heidi Ruckman wanted to create something positive out of her family's tragedy by giving back to others through the scholarships, which will at first go to graduating high school seniors who've been positively impacted by music.

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She said she hopes, as it grows, the fund can also help children who can’t afford instruments or band camp.

Patch reported Peter Ruckman, 58, took his own life after shooting his sons at a home in the 4600 block of Chandan Woods Drive in Cherry Valley. It was a house he shared with Heidi Ruckman, the Rockford Register Star reported, citing Winnebago County property tax records. The two divorced in August 2016, and the newspaper said Heidi Ruckman asked authorities to conduct a welfare check when she hadn't heard from her husband in a couple days and it was her weekend to take the children.

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