Pete's Memorial Fundraiser

Tragically, on the night of February 24th, husband, father, restauranteur, and my dear cousin Pitak "Pete" Rugsaken suffered an acute stroke with severe brain bleeding that was quickly diagnosed as inoperable. On the afternoon of Sunday, February 27th, Pete was removed from life support and allowed to pass peacefully, leaving behind his wife, Roong, two young children, and restaurant legacy. This fund has been created to assist Roong and their children as they learn to navigate a future without their beloved husband and father.

Pete emigrated to the US in the mid-90s from Thailand, and immediately began to pursue the American dream upon arrival. He learned English, graduated from an American high school and quickly earned a business degree so that he and his father could open Muncie, Indiana's first Thai restaurant. In this restaurant, he would meet his future wife and genuine soulmate, with whom he would open the consistently #1-rated Baan Thai restaurant in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and father two beautiful children. Pete was a beloved figure in his family and community, with the customers that frequented his restaurant often becoming family friends. He was well-known for dedicating his spare time to being with those he loved and living by his principles of kindness, truth, and generosity.

Pete was so good at making everyone feel like a friend or part of his family. Let us return that love to his family as they face the unthinkable in the coming weeks and months.