Forever a Part of Grace: Honoring Daniel Rufer
Media provided by Madison G. ’27
Over the summer of 2025, the Grace Church School lost a beloved member of the community. Daniel Rufer was a kind, humorous, determined, gentle, and caring soul. Mr. Rufer was an outstanding math teacher who had been at the school for over a decade. He set an example and served as a mentor to many, earning a reputation as an excellent dean for the classes of 2018 and 2022. Mr. Rufer, however, was involved in the community not only as a dean but also as a robotics teacher, a homeroom advisor, the improv club leader, and a baseball coach. He was known to be a devoted sports fan, loyal to the Jets, the Knicks, and especially the Mets. Mr. Rufer was also recognized for going above and beyond for his students, getting to know each of them personally.
Mr. Rufer was not only loved within the Grace community, but he was also a father, husband, dog owner, and a great friend. He was known for his appreciation and love for the “little things,” as MiChelle Carpenter, the Director of Operations & Auxiliary Programming at Grace, described him. Mr. Rufer had a passionate obsession with rubber ducks. His love for making people smile cannot be put into words. He loved to give out rubber ducks to various members of the community, each with its own style or costume. This is a way people remembered Mr. Rufer.
He took such great pride in handing out these ducks that the senior plaque of his 2022 class was even engraved with a duck in his honor.
Media Provided by Madison G. ’26
Mr. Rufer’s students, colleagues, and friends all shared the common view that he was light-hearted and always lifted the mood of the room with his jokes and sense of humor, making everything feel less tense, an exceptional quality. Shay S., ‘26 senior at Grace, even said, “I would always look forward to his class,” knowing it was always an open, friendly space where learning was engaging and fun, not just a regular math class.
For those who did not get to meet Mr. Rufer or know him personally, it is most important that you know he was a remarkable person with a great love and enthusiasm for teaching and for caring for his students. He cared so deeply for his students that even in his first few weeks as dean, he was not afraid to speak up for them. In one of the first meetings he attended as a dean, “ he objected when he was in disagreement, always though, in a polite manner,” Ms. Carpententer explained. He served as a role model for other teachers to also stand up for their students when something came up that they disagreed with.
Media provided by Madison G. ’27
Among the community, Mr. Rufer was also regarded as a very welcoming person who protected and looked out for others. An instance of this was with Mr. McDonald, a History and Media Arts teacher at Grace Church School. When packages intended for delivery to the high school were sent to an invalid address. Community members, in turn, were frustrated, believing Mr. McDonald caused the mishap. This is where Dan stepped in, advocating for Mr. McDonald. “Dan always had my back,” Mr. McDonald stated, proving his commitment to being a good colleague, teacher, and friend. Mr. Rufer not only protected others but also admitted when he was in the wrong. He was a sincere man, conscious of his actions and words, as Ms. Carpenter explained.
Although no longer with us, Mr. Rufer’s legacy within the Grace community will never fade. His enduring humor, determination, light-hearted spirit, and deep compassion for others will forever remain a part of the Grace community. The valuable lessons he has taught and the impact he has had on so many people can not be replaced.
Madison G. ‘27, the author, is a staff writer for The Grace Gazette.