Dr. Ruth Lofgren passed away in her home in San Antonio, Texas on October 31, 2018 one month before her 102nd birthday. Ruth was born Nov. 25, 1916 in Huntsville, Utah, the first of the five children of Benjamin Franklin and Alice Loise Elder Lofgren.
Ruth spent her early years on a small fruit farm in Butlerville, Utah. For the first several years she was taught at home by her educated teacher parents. She learned to explore, study, observe, and assimilate the world around her, as well as learning the practical skills of sewing, nutrition and gardening.
Ruth graduated from East High, and the University of Utah where she earned a B.A. and M.A. in microbiology and chemistry. Ruth earned her Ph.D. in microbiology in 1944 from the University of Michigan and was a pioneer in electron microscopy. She began attending Quaker meetings while a graduate student in Michigan. From 1956 to 1976 she taught ecology and science education at the City University of New York, and developed ways of using video equipment for real-time laboratory lessons in natural science.
On retirement she moved to San Antonio, Texas where she was active in science, justice, and environmental education and in the Quaker community. She was the guiding force in the creation of the Mitchell Lake Wetlands Society to educate children in environmental science. Her dedication to that effort led to the founding of the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center in 2004. She worked with many San Antonio organizations including the Junior League, League of Women voters, and the Alamo Area Council of Governments, which honored her with a lifetime achievement award. She supported youth agencies, education and participated as a court watcher.
In 2008 San Antonio named Ruth the city's first Peace Laureate, honoring her "voice of wisdom and experience to speak for peace and justice." In 2017, at the celebration of her 100th birthday she was given the Terry Hershey award honoring her for work in ecology. See a summary of her award at http://tx.audubon.org/conservation/2017-terry-hershey-award-honorees. In her 100th year she continued to inspire those around her. The celebration of her birthday was, at her request, a program on looking forward with hope to the next 100 years for children, peace, justice and the environment. She was a fierce advocate for children and nature.
Ruth enjoyed world travel, gardening, photography, and sewing and at her 100th birthday celebration she wore a dress she had recently sewn. Ruth was brilliant, practical, capable, and independent and determined to make her community a better place. She was loved by a wide circle of devoted and caring friends.
She was welcomed home by her loving parents and grandparents; siblings Benjamin Elder Lofgren (Ruth), Alice Lofgren Andrus, David Elder Lofgren (Donna), Richard Lyman Elder Lofgren (Gwen); also by nieces Judy Lofgren Lange (Mitchial), Lynn Lofgren, Nancy Lofgren, and nephews John Lofgren and Robert Lofgren. She will be missed by brother-in-law Ralph Andrus, sister-in-law Audrey Lofgren, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.
A service will be held at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. She will be buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. There will be a family gathering after the burial.
