Ruth Meyer

Ruth Meyer, nee Clayman, civic leader and University of Illinois-Chicago professor, died after a brief illness at her home on May 6 at the age of 90. She received her BA in English in 1940 and a master's degree in psychiatric social work from the University of Chicago in 1944. In 1955 she was named North Sider of the Year for her work on the constitutional amendment for legislative reapportionment in Illinois. She was president of the Chicago League of Women Voters from 1958 to 1960 and served as suburban Chicago campaign manager for Sidney Yates' unsuccessful bid for the US Senate in 1962. In the 1960s, she administered the American Fund for Psychiatry, and served as the Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers. In 1970, she joined the Jane Addams Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Illinois as the director of admissions and later became a professor, teaching until her retirement in 1990. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Paul K. Weichselbaum and her second husband, Dr. Joseph C. Meyer; her brother Chester Clayman; and her step-daughter Betsy Berry. She is survived by her sons Dr. Ralph (Donna) Weichselbaum, Hart (Suzanne) Weichselbaum, Lee (Laura) Weichselbaum, and James (Susan) Weichselbaum; and her step-daughters Jean Stark (Tom) and Emily Meyer (Mark); and her grandchildren Matthew, Charles, Ben, Claire, Paul, Amy Jo, Erin, Julie, Robert, Susan, Nancy, Adam, Ellen, Kevin, Shana, Molly, and Breena; and her brother Stanley Clayman. Graveside service Tuesday, 11 a.m. at Waldheim Cemetery Gate 62, Roosevelt Road, Forest Park. Memorials in her memory to Jewish United Fund, 30 S. Wells St., Chicago, IL, 60606, juf.org or Keshet 617 Landwehr Road, Northbrook, IL 60062, keshet.org would be appreciated. Arrangements by: Chicago Jewish Funerals, David Jacobson funeral director, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com