Ruth E. Bebber Ph.D.

Ruth E. Bebber, Phd

Retired Southern Oregon University Professor

Ruth E. Bebber, Phd., 87, of Albuquerque, N.M. and Ashland, Ore., died Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at the Alzheimer's Care Facility at the Cottages of Albuquerque.

Ruth was born in Albuquerque, N.M. in 1921. She graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1938 and received her Bachelor's degree in Social Studies from the University of New Mexico in 1942.

During World War II, Ruth was the only woman in a squadron of aviation mechanics in Gainesville, Ga. In the evenings, she played trombone in the Navy Band.

After the war, she earned a Master's Degree and a Doctorate of Philosphy in Health and Education in 1956 at the University of Southern California. Dr. Bebber taught in the Albuquerque and San Bernardino, Calif., Public School systems as a physical education instructor. She was an exchange teacher from SOU to Dankook University in Seoul, South Korea. There she taught American Folk Dance and helped bring American culture to many South Koreans. At Southern Oregon University, Dr. Bebber was considered a Master teacher and was responsible for hundreds of student teachers who learned to love their chosen profession as she did. She was passionate about swimming and was the coach for the women's swim team at Southern Oregon University for many years. She also taught swimming for the American Red Cross, the Youth Aquatic School and Elderhostel for decades.

She was the president of many organizations, including, the UNM chapter of Alpha Chi Omega from 1941 to 1942; the SOU chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, the Jackson County Chapter of the American Association of University Women, and the state president of the Oregon Chapter of Business and Professional Women.

Ruth enjoyed music, gardening, weaving and dance. She traveled extensively throughout the world: touring, dancing, hiking and backpacking. She was an extraordinary cook and entertained her co-workers and students with exotic ethnic dinners. She donated over 2500 cookbooks to the Culinary Arts department at Central New Mexico Community College.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church in Ashland, Ore.

She is survived by her sisters, Henrietta Bebber Loy and Marilyn Bebber Sheppard of Albuquerque, and by Delores Weimer Bebber of Denver, and by Jacqueline Woods Bebber of Chico, Calif.; and by her many nieces and nephews, and their children; and by her beloved dog, Babe.

A Mass of Celebration followed by a reception will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church in Ashland, 987 Hillview Dr. Call Laura Dennison, her niece, for more information, (505) 417-6616.

The family asks that no flowers be sent, instead please send a donation in Ruth Bebber's memory to the "Southern Oregon University Foundation" in support of student scholarships. Southern Oregon University, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Or if you like to cook, send a cookbook (or several) in her name to Central New Mexico Community College, Main Campus Library, Culinary Arts, 525 Buena Vista Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106.