Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Perusing the local paper, I noticed the obituary of Darryl Unruh. There was no news story associated with it, but there probably should be.
Unruh was a businessman of note in Asheville and very active on the civic scene. Unruh was owner of Pizza Huts of Asheville and Western North Carolina. He also created a local foundation that handed out cash to a number of local programs and scholarship funds.
Here’s some of the Unruh obit:
Darryl was an entrepreneur and community builder. He was a man of integrity and closed many a deal with only a handshake. After working for Beech Aircraft for 14 years, he moved to Western North Carolina in 1970, and purchased the first of over two dozen Pizza Huts. A decade later, he formed DEU Enterprises, which consisted of several businesses in the Asheville area. The employees of DEU Enterprises were much loved and considered to be extended members of the Unruh family.
He enjoyed creating jobs for people and giving back to the community. With the aid of his close friend, the Rev. Richard Eley, Darryl formed an educational foundation to provide four-year scholarships to any in-state public college to deserving students in Buncombe County. He became a mentor and friend to many scholarship recipients.
Darryl gave of his time to many organizations. He served on the boards of the Asheville Airport Authority, St. Joseph Hospital, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Presbyterian Home for Children, Al Jones Christian Ministry, Emmaus Ministries, UNC Chapel Hill Educational Foundation and Flat Rock Playhouse. He also served on many committees and as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Asheville. Most recently, he was a member of Biltmore Baptist Church.
He had many interests and hobbies. He was an avid golfer, loved to water and snow ski, and was passionate about all things UNC Tar Heel. Darryl loved to fly. After spending many years working with planes, he later went on to become a certified pilot and owned several airplanes.
