Ruth S. Ensign

A piece by Ruth has adorned the walls of my parent´s home since I was a young child. They bought it in 1973 at an art exhibit in Richmond and toted it all the way back in the car to North Dakota. It´s called Weathervane People. It hangs proudly in my mother´s living room to this day, 51 years later. We adore it.

Betsy and I first met Ruth in the summer of 1971. We were spending the summer with our three young children with Betsy’s parents who lived in Richmond. I was spending three months as a visiting lecturer at MCV. We had seen an advertisement in the local paper about an exhibition of collographs in one of the art galleries in Richmond (I forget which one). So one Sunday afternoon we drove over from Bumpass, where we were spending the weekend with Betsy’s aunt Ruth. We were really taken with the pictures and bought two of them, “In Adam’s Field” and “Farmhouse Yard”. We chatted with Ruth, who I think was quite intrigued that the pictures were going back to London. Whenever we visited Richmond we took the opportunity of acquiring another ‘Ruth Ensign’. We always telephoned when we were in Richmond, and I would hardly open my mouth, before Ruth would recognize who was talking. We visited her both at Camp Hanover and in later years in Richmond. On one occasion, when I was making a flying visit to see Betsy’s parents, having given a lecture in Washington, I discovered that Ruth was teaching at a school outside of Richmond. I stopped on my way back to Washington to see her. I think Ruth’s pupils were quite amazed at the stranger from Scotland (we had moved to Aberdeen by then) who drove up in a Lincoln Continental (this being the only car the hire company had available, even though I had booked a small one), and bought one of their teacher’s paintings.
The last time Betsy and I saw Ruth was in July of last year (2008) when we spent an hour chatting with her and John, before coming away with yet another collograph. Our collection now stands at seventeen.
Little did we know this would be the last time we would see her. I suppose in the thirty seven years we knew Ruth, we probably only met about a dozen times, and on each occasion probably for no more than an hour or so. Yet she was always so welcoming, and somehow our conversations seem to continue from our previous meetings as if no time had passed.
Truly a remarkable woman and one we will always remember as a friend.

Anthony Milton, Cambridge, England
3rd January 2009.
[email protected]

I was very sorry to learn of Ms. Ensign's passing. A print created by Ms. Ensign hangs in my home ("I wonder as I wander") and it remains one of my favorite pieces in my collection. The print was a gift from my mother upon the passing of my father- the late Dr. Robert P. Crumpler. My father knew Ms. Ensign from his work as a chaplin in Richmond and was fond of her work. I still remember being a very small child in a gallery exhibiting her work when the piece was purchased. To her family, know that as an artist her voice and influence will continue through her work. I wish peace for you all.

Rob Crumpler

John and Family,
So sorry to hear about Ruth. The time I spent with the Ensigns at Camp Hanover are treasured memories. You are in my thoughts.

Dear John
It has been a long time but I remember you and Ruth well.There will always be fond memories of Camp Hanover and The Ensigns.My thought and prayers go with you

Martha,
I just saw the article about your mother's death in the paper. I am so sorry. I would have attended the service if I had known. Would love to have seen you. She seemed to have led a very full life. Hope you are doing well under the circumstances.
Sincerely,
Susan Blevins Robertson

Dear Mr. Ensign
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your wife, Ruth. I spent many a summer (1960-1968) at Camp Hanover. I certainly enjoyed working on the crafts, many of which your wife came up with the ideas for. My prayers are with you and your family at this time.

I am so sorry for your loss. My aunt, Doris Sutton, apparently was a friend of Mrs. Ensign. I believe my aunt also taught some of her children. Aunt Dottie died Dec. 2007 and in going through her things, I found a print by Mrs. Ensign and a 12th grade project by Martha Ensign. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

John

Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you during this time.

Thinking about you all and the many summers I spent at Camp Hanover. I still have several art projects from camp that Ruth helped me with. Prayers and love,
Diana Daniels Cochran
summers 77-87

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

DEAR FRIENDS:
MAY GOD'S DAILY BLESSINGS OF PEACE, LOVE, HOPE AND
JOY REST UPON EACH OF YOU IN ALL SEASONS OF LIFE'S
JOURNEY HOME.
THE JOYS OF CAMP HANOVER ARE STILL VIVID AND TREASURED AFTER 47 YEARS: THE ENSIGN FAMILY WAS
A GREAT PART OF THAT ENRICHMENT IN LIFE.
LOVE AND PRAYERS,
E.COURTNEY ANDREWS
(FORMER LAKESIDE CAMPER)