Ruth was born Ruth Lois Winkler on February 8, 1925 in Bloomfield, NJ. She met and married Emil Arthur Kuhlbars (TSGT USAF / RET) on June 3, 1943. Her husband joined the United States Air Force after WWII. Ruth loved being an Air Force wife and living in many parts of the United States and Europe. Emil retired from the Air Force and they lived in High Rolls, NM. After Emil died on February 20, 1997, Ruth moved to Alamogordo, NM until she moved back to NJ to live with family prior to moving to SC to be near several children.
Ruth loved her family, church, the military and community. She was active as a volunteer in many organizations: Protestant Women of the Chapel, Family Services, The Red Cross, the base pharmacy, Sharing God's Love, Meals on Wheels, her churches and other community organizations. She enjoyed socializing with friends at the local Senior Centers and church.
Ruth is survived by her sisters, Mildred Bollback and her husband, Harry of Schroon Lake, NY and Doris Parker of Stanwood, Ml; a son, Richard Kuhlbars (CH, COL USA/ RET) and his wife, Frances of Floyd, VA; two daughters, Patricia Nishwitz and her husband, Mike of Dubois, WY and Beverlee King of Columbia. Ruth was a loving grandmother to five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Anja Archer and her husband, Steve, and their daughter Abigail (10) of Atlanta, GA; Heather Dube and her husband, Damian of Gilbert, AZ; Richard Kuhlbars II and his wife, Erika and their son, Jack (10) of Ashland, VA; Emily Stansberry and her husband, Matthew and their children, Francis (2) and Josephine (1 month) of Floyd, VA; and Scott Nishwitz (LTC USAF/ RET) and his wife, Diane and their sons, Andrew (18), Ethan and Daniel (both 15) of Las Vegas, NV.
A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2019 at Grace United Methodist Church, 410 Harbison Blvd., Columbia. Her son, Richard Kuhlbars, will officiate. Interment will be at The Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, TX in the Spring of 2020 where she will be buried with her husband, Emil.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 410 Harbison Blvd., Columbia, SC 29212. The family has entrusted Ruth to the care of Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel in Irmo, SC.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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