Evelyn B. Ruffing

Evelyn Baker Ruffing, 89, of Latrobe, passed away on April 12, 2024, at Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. She was the daughter of the late Frederick and Maria Herbstrith, who emigrated to Philadelphia, from southern Germany, in 1930. She is survived by her three children: Erik C. Baker of Columbia County, FL; Andrew C. Baker (Erin) of Seattle, WA; and Paula A. Baker of Missoula, MT. She is also survived by one granddaughter, Avery, born in 2021. A lifelong Pennsylvania native, Evelyn was born and raised in suburban Glenside near Philadelphia. She first attended Penn State main campus, and then Susquehanna University, where she majored in German and Sociology. Graduate study took her to Switzerland, where she majored in Germanic languages, Swiss Ethnology and architecture of the Middle Ages. While in Europe, she met and married her first husband, David W. Baker of Great Falls, MT. Her two sons, Erik and Andy, were born in Switzerland, and her daughter, Paula, was born later in Los Angeles. Her strong interest and passion in and knowledge of old architecture was a powerful influence throughout her adult life. Upon return to the U.S., Evelyn moved with her family to Oak Park, IL, where she became active in helping to improve the neighborhood and traffic planning for this tree-lined suburb adjacent to Chicago. She was also an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oak Park, which was based in the historic Unity Temple, designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1908. In 1976, she moved to New Alexandria with her family, where she began restoration of one of the oldest farmhouses in the area; this home is now on the National Register of Historic Places. She continued her career in German language instruction, teaching classes at both St. Vincent College and Kennametal Inc. In 1980, she moved to Derry Township and began restoration of her current home, which is registered with the Derry Area Historical Society. In October 2009, Evelyn received the Pomeroy Award from the Derry Area Historical Society for her work to help identify and restore valuable historic homes and buildings in the greater Latrobe area. In May 2012, she received special recognition from the Consul of Switzerland for her contributions toward the construction of the Swiss Nationality Room in the Tower of Learning at University of Pittsburgh. In October of 2013, she received the St. Clair Award for restoration of the Simpson Voting House, located along Route 22 in New Alexandria. Evelyn shared her high level of positive life energy with many in the Westmoreland County and Pittsburgh area. She was a loving mother and good friend who will be very much missed and long remembered by her family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ligonier Valley, 1724 Route 30 East, Ligonier, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Derry Area Historical Society, PO Box 64, New Derry, PA 15671; Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Of Ligonier Valley, 1724 Route 30 East, Ligonier, PA 15658; Swiss Nationality Room Scholarship Fund c/o University of Pittsburg, 1209 Cathedral Of Learning, Pittsburgh, PA 15260-6271