Ruby Philips Kuhns

Kuhns, Ruby Philips, 98, died Aug 25, 2010. A celebration of life will be held 2 p.m., Wed. Sept 15 at the Wichita Boat House at 515 S. Wichita St. Ruby was born June 3, 1912 to Vida and Gilbert Philips in Sayre, OK. The family moved to Great Bend during Ruby's grade school years and she graduated from HS in Hutchinson, KS. The daughter of a Baptist minister, Ruby was awarded a full scholarship to the Baptist Missionary Training College in Chicago after high school. She married Forrest Kuhns of Ark City, June, 1932, in Chicago where they endured the Depression and the dearth of missionary placements at that time. Ever the adventurous athlete, Ruby spent a couple of seasons with the Haganback-Wallace Circus to help with finances. Hoot Gibson and Emmet Kelley were in her circle of friends at that time. Forrest's work with the Foundation for the Blind in Wichita brought them back to Kansas. Ruby and Forrest provided magic shows (then an avocation) for some of the USO tours in the Midwest during WWII. They were also instrumental in forming the popular Wichita Wizards magic club during that period. Ruby was a magician and performer of her own standing and she was also integral in building Forrest's variety stage shows throughout the Midwest in the '50s. Unsure of show business, she returned to school in 1955 to obtain a degree in Education from Sterling College. By 1957 she was teaching Special Ed at Allison Jr. High. Caught by the academic bug, Ruby completed her Master's Degree in Education Emporia State in 1962. In 1963 she started teaching in secondary schools in Michigan where the idea of becoming a teacher was initially seeded while doing school shows with Forrest in the late 40s. Ruby wanted to begin a Ph.D. at Wayne State University in Detroit, but was turned away by an admissions office that questioned a woman beginning such a venture in her 50's. While based in Michigan, Ruby and Forrest enjoyed an active role in the International Platform Association national meetings where they often rubbed elbows with the political and speaking circuit celebrities of the day. Ruby retired from teaching in 1976. The Kuhns' returned to Wichita again in 1978 where Ruby continued her interest in Democratic politics, women's rights and became an honorary member of the Wichita Wizards. In 1999 she was recognized at the WSU Plaza of Heroines, sponsored by friends in the National Organization for Women. Ruby was also teaching dance (her performing) group known as the Silver Belles) with senior programs into her 80's. She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest, three brothers, two sisters, and daughter, Marilou. Ruby is survived by her son Roy (Linda) Kuhns, of Independence, MO, daughter Kristine Johnson of Durango, CO, three grandchildren, three great grandchildren and her loving caretakers at Mothers & Others. Memorials to Hospice Care of Kansas, 808 S. Hillside, 67211