Ruth Barton Obituary

Dr. Barton was one of the most amazing teachers I have ever come in contact with. She set me on the path of good writing, and teaching writing at the highest level. I so respected and trusted her.

Rest in peace.

Sam Lopez
MAT-'97

My deepest condolences to Tiff and his family for the loss they suffer over Ruth's passing. I pray for peace and healing of your hearts. Ruth was a wonderful soul and is joyfully joined with Belle and Tom K. again. My childhood memories are blessed to have been a friend and neighbor.

Aunt Ruth was always so dear and kind to her nephews and nieces. We will all miss her, but rejoice in her positive impact on so many people.

I graduated from from high school with Ruth in Sweetwater, TX in the class of 195l. I can't remember whether she attended one of the two reunions that I have attended in recent years, but I do remember reading something she had written about her life after high school. Ruth was always at the top of her class. As a former teacher (of first grade students for thirty years) I know the joy that has come to me as I have heard from those kids again as grow-ups and see the people they have become. Ruth certainly left her handprints on a lot of young people! What a legacy she has left for all of you to remember! God bless you all!
Vivian Rogge Proffitt
Odessa, TX I

She will be missed and loved. Lisa Phillips-Colorado Springs

I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Ruth's jou and excitement about Belle when I was at CC, and her enthusiasm for Alice in Wonderland, and her willingness to hear me drone on about Yeats. This is a great loss to your family, and I am so sorry, and it is a loss to all of us who learned from her. What a magnificent teacher.

Ruth and TK were wonderful mentors! Ruth encouraged my writing tremendously. She was gracious and kind, but always direct. The bowl she made and gave us as a wedding present is sitting on my desk today. Ruth and TK, you are missed!

So sorry to hear of the passing of this dear, wonderful woman. She made the years I worked at Colorado College so much richer, and her gift of teaching inspired us all.

Katie - I'm so sorry for your loss. I still have a very special poem Ruth wrote after your mom and I walked with you kids and her in Shook's Run - very precious memories. We are praying for your comfort.

I was so excited when I saw that the CC Writing Center was to be re-named for Ruth, and for the thousandth time in recent years, I thought of getting in touch with her. I remember her with so much love and gratitude for her patience with me as a student and aspiring poet back in 1966-1970. I have an enduring image of her, when she was coming down with the flu, huddling down over a floor furnace grate and shaking as she read over the new poems I'd begged her to look over. I also babysat for you, Tiff, when you were just a toddler. I'm sure Ruth knew how much her students loved her and felt they owed her, but I would have liked to tell her so one more time. Thank you, Ruth, and bless you, Tiff.

I can still remember Ruth telling me as a student at CC in the late 70's that I could do whatever I wanted with my life and be whoever I wanted to be. No one had ever said that to me before, and no one has said it to me since. But those few words opened up a whole new vista ahead of me. I am now an English professor, and I owe so much of who I am today to her encouragement.

My sympathy goes out to her family.

Ruth was my professor first block of freshman year in 1988. In one month she undid four years of thinking writing simply wasn't in the cards for me. She recommended me as a Writing Center tutor and shaped my college career and beyond. Fantastic & inspiring woman.

Ruth was a tour de force-- an inquisitive, charming, opinionated, immensely bright woman with a lasting place in many minds and hearts. Whether opening her home to students for a homemade breakfast and spirited conversation about symbolism in Lewis Caroll's "Alice in Wonderland" or participating in moments of complete presence, joy and amazement as flocks of Sand Hill Cranes took flight near CC's Baca Campus, Ruth brought enchantment, insight and brightness to her students. Her love of the world was authentic and deep; she knew both its light and its dark, and she experienced it with a poet's gift. She made a lasting impact in my life and I was blessed to be her student. With love and respect to her memory and to her family.

A literary mother to me, Ruth taught with love. Not a week passed since fall 1969 that I have not thought of her legacy. Such a valuable life!

Tiff, I am so sorry for your loss and I am so proud of how you cared for Ruth. My favorite memory of her happened when I was an impatient teenager. I was upset because Granny McConnell (Marybelle) and Mom(Pat) were late getting to Ruby's House and which meant we wouldn't get to do something that I don't remember now but was very important when I was 13. In a very calm but firm voice, Ruth said, "Yes, they may be late, but they are awfully nice when they arrive." She was awfully nice and wise. She will be missed.

Tiff, I can hear Ruthie's laugh of life as though she was here in the room beside me. What a joyous creature she was to all of us and how amazing our lives are because of her. Remember, you are loved! Cousin Rita

Ruth and TK enchanted many a CC student through the years, leaving us with incredible memories and thoughts. My favorite memory of Ruth came in her children's lit course. She said, about "Stone Fox," in her beautiful Texas accent, "I read this when I need a good cry!" Thank you, Ruth, for reminding us of the simple pleasures!

Ruth made the best homemade, hand cranked peach ice cream in the whole world. I will remember her fondly for her quick wit, her darling laugh and the beautiful visits we had together at the Barton family reunions. Bless you Tiff for having taken such wonderful care of your whole family. We love you and remember you during this sad time. Much love, Cathy and Lynn Barton

Pleasant personality, spirited conversationalist, good bridge partner (even though she was a short club bidder), tolerant of the things that make life interesting with a blend of pragmatism. The youngest and last, of a very intelligent and engaging group of siblings.

Thanks Tiff for helping her through life's last challenges.

So very sorry to hear of your loss. Ruth was one of my favorite professors at CC, and I learned so much from her while I was there. Both she and TK made a lasting impression in my life.

So very sorry Tiff.

My beautiful Aunt Ruth has a special place in my heart. She listened to my rants and ravings while I was a student at CC. She was always patience, understanding and encouraging. I will love her always and make sure that I take good care of the gravesite at Spring Creek in Bosque County, Texas where she will be laid to rest by her beloved Tom K.