Bert Ruiter (born 26 November 1946 – 14 March 2022)[1] was a Dutch bass guitarist, record producer, and composer.

Ruiter was also the bassist for Earth and Fire from 1978 to 1990, later having a long-standing relarionship with the groups lead vocalist Jerney Kaagman.

[citation needed] In September 1971 he replaced Cyril Havermans as the bass guitarist in Focus.

The two later left Earth and Fire, and Ruiter worked with Kaagman on her solo albums, gradually assuming more of a role as producer and arranger.

In 1999 Ruiter rejoined Thijs van Leer and drummer Hans Cleuver with guitarist Menno Gootjes, for a new incarnation of Focus, but internal wrangling split the group after only a few live dates in the Netherlands.