Ruth Burdick Sharp

Sharp, Ruth Burdick

Ithaca: Ruth Burdick Sharp died peacefully at her home at Kendal at Ithaca on June 16, 2011, just shy of age 101. She was born on June 27, 1910 in Milwaukee, WI, the younger daughter of Eleanor, (nee Streckewald), and William Burdick. She had an older sister, Suzanne Burdick Beale who predeceased her. Ruth graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1931 with a BA in history. She was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. From 1931-1936 she taught history at the Boston Country Day School. During these years she took girls on trips to Europe in the summers which allowed her to pursue her lifelong interest in travel. On August 22, 1936 she married Richard Lauriston Sharp (1907-1993), of Madison, WI. Lauri had just received his PhD in anthropology from Harvard University. Together they moved to Ithaca, NY, where he took up an appointment as the first anthropologist at Cornell University where, among other things, he established the South East Asia Program. For some 60 years they traveled the world, primarily back and forth between Cornell and Thailand - almost always together - and in the early years often with one or both of their young children, Sander (b. 1937) and Suki (b. 1943). Ruth enjoyed her role as a faculty wife and supported the growth of the Anthropology department at Cornell. She was involved for many years with the Campus Club of Cornell. She also worked at making the lives of international students at Cornell, particularly Thai students, easier and more comfortable. For 65 years the Drama Club of Ithaca was also an important part of her life. Wherever they were in the world Ruth used her unique social talents to create a vibrant and interesting home where friends, colleagues, students and visitors could share experiences and ideas along with a gimlet. During her travels to Thailand with Lauri she became interested in South-East Asian pottery. She took courses, read extensively, and visited potters and potteries educating herself in this specialized field in which she earned a reputation as an expert. She created a fine teaching collection which she donated to Cornell University. She is survived by her son, Alexander (Sander) Sharp of Bodega, CA and his wife Mary Biggs; by her daughter, Susannah (Suki) Starnes of Lunenburg, NS and her husband Colin; by her grand-children, Sarajenny Chiro, Jeremy Sharp, Balen Sharp Biggs, Matthew Starnes and Wendy Starnes-Taylor; and by her great-grandchildren, Munya Chiro, Jesa Chiro, Thea Sharp, Oliver Sharp Biggs, Elliot Sharp Biggs, Gracie Taylor and Lucy Taylor. She is also survived by her nephew, David Beale, his wife Marion and his children Matthew and Katie of Greenwich CT. A funeral service will be held at Kendal at Ithaca at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, the Reverend Philip Snyder of St. John's Episcopal Church officiating, reception to follow. All are welcome. There will be a private burial in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Cayuga Heights. Donations in Ruth's name can be made to the Kendal at Ithaca Employee's Fund.