Ruth L. Newhart
1926-2012
Ruth L. Newhart, 85, St. Joseph, Missouri died Tuesday, August 28, 2012, peacefully at home. She was born November 1, 1926 in Wellington, New Zealand, where her father was a missionary for the RLDS church. With her parents, she came to the United States in 1928 and settled in Lamoni, Iowa. She attended Lamoni Public School from kindergarten through high school. She graduated in 1944. The family moved that year to Omaha, Nebraska, where she worked as a riveter on B-29’s at the Martin Bomber Plant in nearby Bellevue until the end of World War II.
In 1944, she became a naturalized citizen through the derivative citizenship process of her parents. In 1948, she received a Bachelor of Science degree from Creighton University. In 1950, she graduated from Creighton Law School with a Juris Doctors degree. She was employed by Douglas County and Probate Judge Robert Troyer until 1951, when she went to work in the Trust Department of the Omaha National Bank. During her time living in Omaha, she played in AAU softball, volleyball and basketball.
In 1953, she married John W. Newhart and practiced law in Savannah, Missouri. She reactivated Girl Scouts in Savannah in 1954. She served as president of the Savannah Dick Munkres Womens’ Legion Auxiliary, and was Republican County Committeewoman. She ran for Probate and Magistrate Judge and later Associate Circuit Judge.
She began teaching for the St. Joseph School District in 1968 where she taught at Central High School for 27 years. In 1975, she was diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis. In 1978, she was the first to be named St. Joseph Teacher of the year. She was forced to a wheelchair in 1981, but continued to teach until 1994.
She is a member of the RLDS church, the St. Joseph and Missouri Retired Teachers, and the Nebraska and Missouri Bar Associations. She is survived by her husband, John W. Newhart, of the home; two sons, John D. Newhart (Maxine) of Helena, Missouri and Robert T. Newhart (Karen) of Cameron, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Abbey E. Meyer, Drew Newhart, Will Newhart, Kaitlin Newhart, Jacob W.T. Newhart, Hannah Littlejohn, Hallie Summerour, and Jacob E. Summerour; and three great-grandchildren; one brother, Jason L. Loving, Battle Creek, Michigan; one sister, Blanch G. Charpenel, Austin, Texas; and many nieces and nephews. A daughter, Hilda Jo Summerour, predeceased her, as did one sister, Ethel Diaz; one brother, Paul M. Loving, and both parents.
Services 10:00 A.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Savannah Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial gifts to Hands of Hope Hospice.
John & family, You have my deepest sympathy in your loss. I have a lot of
memories of Ruth, what a great lady she was. I remember how she enjoyed the fast pitch softball games at Walnut Park and other places, too. She will always be remembered by our family.
Pam Wall
Please accept my sincere sympathy in the loss if Ruth…wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
Cherish all the fond memories.
My prayers are with you
Judy
I am so sorry for your loss and you have my deepest sympathy. Ruth was an inspiration to me. In fact, I was just speaking of her to a friend the other day.
I was a “baby” teacher when I started at Central H.S. in 1978. Frankly, Ruth intimidated me because of her intelligence and standards of excellence in education. Ruth was the model of what I wanted to be as a teacher and a person.
When I found out that Ruth was an attorney, I wondered why on earth she would give that up to teach. In 1994 I finally got it. After practicing law for a number of years, I went back to the high school classroom where my true professional passion has always beem.
Your wife, mother, and grandmother had a profound impact on my life and so many others. I hope that knowing the impact Ruth had on so many lives will be of some comfort to you.
Paulette
My deepest sympathy. Ruth was such a great teacher, & the class of “82″ will never forget her.
John & family,you are in my thoughts and prayers. We shared a lot of great memories over many years. She was truly a great lady.
Mrs. Newhart taught Far East History (in addition to government and, later, other subjects at Central) but we called it Far Out History because, with Ruth, history was really cool. Also, she told us we could chew gum if we did it “surreptitiously.” If we did it “vociferously,” we had to throw it out (and to astonished eyes she would say, “Look it up.”). I loved a lot of my teachers and am thankful for most all of them, but Ruth Lydia set a higher bar for me. She gave me things to think about — higher things. And I carried what she taught me long after the classroom and into my multiple careers. When I last saw her two years ago, I have to say that the absolute best moment of that conversation for me was the look of pleasure in her eyes when she asked, “Did you ever do anything in government?” and I responded that I had been press secretary to a governor. It’s what she wanted for me — to take what she had taught me and to learn more while serving the people. She taught me that public service was an honorable profession (at, at one time, it was). She was a great example for both boys and girls, men and women and I will always carry Ruth Lydia in my heart and her influence in my mind. John, thank you for taking such good care of her.
Mrs. Newhart was a one-in-a-million teacher that had everyone’s respect. Her standards were high and we all wanted her approval because we knew she was something special. Now, after reading her obituary, I realize what an amazing life she led. Althouh, I’m not a bit surprised.
Mrs. Newhart: A great lady who set high standards for both herself and her students. A lady who made some major positive contributions to the world in which we live….She made a place in this world. Years later son would say “Oh, I bet Mrs. Newhart is excited about this… ” some national or international news topic.
Mrs. Newhart was my government teacher at central high school. She was tough, but great. I will always remember her telling me she couldn’t see the person behind me because of my hair.
Absolutely, One of the BEST teachers I ever had. I still remember her pre-test rally songs to get me and my fellow classmates ready to take and pass the tests in American Government. Fantastic Teacher and a “GREAT LADY!”
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.