Ruthann B. RAUTH

RAUTH Ruthann B. Rauth, of Terrace Park, Ohio died peacefully in her sleep on August 3, 2005. The love of writing sustained Ruth from her childhood until her death. Her grandmother read Longfellow's Hiawatha and other poems to her as a young child, so she was exposed to rhythm and imagery at an early age. She fell in love with poetry and also expressed herself through ballet, modern dance and liturgical dance over many years. Ruth was born in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1929. As a child she loved to wander along the Des Plaines River and through the woods on foot, bicycle and horseback. As an adult she explored the world extensively with her husband, Jim. She published three books, Promises in the Wind, Relections of Mind and Place, and Jennie's Garden. Her second book was a collection of her poems and Jim's pictures. Ruth attended Ripon College in Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Missouri with a Journalism degree. Favorite aspects of her career life had to do with writing, public relations, advertising and editing. As a volunteer; she mentored poets, was a Visiting Poet in the Schools and moderator of Life Rhythms classes at a retirement center. Ruth often said that her legacy was her three sons and that poems, like children, made their way slowly into the world. She is survived by her beloved husband, James W. Rauth and sons, Steven (Mary) of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Dale (Lisa Fujita) of Castrow Valley, California and Keith of Everett, Washington. She is also survived by three step children, Kathleen Rauth, Scott Rauth and Carol (Joe) Stout. Also much loved were four grandsons, Matthew and Jason Binkley, Seth Binkley, and Daniel Fujita Binkley. She is also survived by two step grandsons, Will and Jack Stout, step grandaughter Sage Rauth, and her half sister, Norma Krueger. Ruth was a past President of the Greater Cincinnati Writers League, past Vice President of the Ohio Poetry Association and a member of the Terrace Park Garden Club. She won numerous awards from State and National Poetry Associations. Ruth was a reader of biography and history, an avid gardener, photographer, bird watcher and piano player. Her memorial service will be in the main sanctuary at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church, Saturday, August 20th at 10:30 A.M. Following the service, the family invites you to a time of fellowship and remembrance in celebration of Ruth's life. Burial will be a private ceremony at Spring Grove Cemetary. Memorials may be sent to the Cincinnati Nature Center, Tealtown Road, Milford, Ohio 45150 (for programs in environmental education), to Stepping Stones Center, Given Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45243 or to Hyde Park Community Church (for mission outreach) Grace and Observatory Avenues, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208.