Ruth Marie Dryer-Richard

Ruth Marie Dryer-Richard, 74, peacefully passed into the everlasting arms and bosom of her Heavenly Father on Sunday, Feb 12, 2023, following a courageous four year battle with complications of cancer.

Ruth was born on Nov 15, 1948 to William R. and Hazel M. (Woods) Dryer at Casper, Wy. She graduated from Natrona County High School in 1967. She attended one year of college at Northwest Nazarene College, Nampa, ID and transferred to Montana State University, Bozeman, MT where she earned her BS in Nursing degree in Mar 1972. She graduated from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio with her Master of Science degree in Nursing in Dec 1980.

She married her soul mate, Lee W. Richard in Cleveland, OH on 7 Mar 1985. This marriage was marked by overwhelming joy and a deep love and caring for each other. Instead of being blessed with children, God had other plans for them. As Lee’s parents declined in health, they moved his parents from ND to live with them spanning 10 years. Together they faced the challenges of declining health together with continuing to advance in their professional lives. She was a special daughter-in-law who never complained and believed God had placed her in this place for such a time as this. In 2006, Ruth and Lee began another journey together when God blessed them to provide stewardship of 17 special full bred cocker spaniels. Each blessed her with unconditional companionship that was reciprocated by a deep commitment of respect, caring, love and provision of safety for each angel that God provided. They were her cherished blessed children.

With a career of nearly 45 years, her career began as a medical-surgical, critical care and burn care nurse. She worked as a clinical nurse specialist at St. Vincent’s hospital, Honolulu, HI and later held a joint appointment as a clinical nurse specialist between University Hospital and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. Her leadership transition began as oncology unit nurse manager at Denver VA Medical Center and nurse manager of a medical-surgical unit and administrator at the former St. Luke’s Lutheran Hospital in San Antonio, TX. She held faculty appointments at Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, IA, Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, North Chicago and Hampton Roads VA Medical Centers, Galen College in San Antonio, TX and faculty/Chair of San Antonio College School of Nursing. She taught NCLEX reviews many years to graduate nurses and celebrated with pride upon each achieving passing the RN licensure exam.

Ruth was a praying woman with a deep and unshakable faith in God who guided and strengthened her throughout life. She conducted her life through action with a firm belief in that one is judged for what one does while passing through life. She had a deep sense of family and cherished time spent with friends. She was an avid genealogist furthering her father’s prior work. She loved quilting, cooking and baking, traveling, writing poetry and spoiling her dogs. She took much pride and cherished the privilege to educate future generations of nurses.

Preceding her in death were her parents, sister and brother-in-law Esther (Jan Miller), sister Carol Zavada, one brother Robert Dryer, one brother-in-law Terry Richard, one nephew Kevin Miller, five uncles and wives and 12 of her beloved dogs (Bernie, Jessie, Jacob, Meghan, Rusty, Ebony, Timmy, J.R., Joy Joy, Tara, Minnie and Bo).

Surviving are her husband, Lee, one brother Bill Dryer, one sister Martha Floyd (Daren Haley), a sister-in-law Linda Dryer, sister-in-law Delaine Evensvold (Tom), one aunt Molly Dryer, numerous nephews/nieces, great and great-great nephews/nieces, cousins and a host of friends. Also surviving are 4 of her beloved dogs (Annie, Panda, Coco and Lexi).

Funeral services will be held at the University United Methodist Church on DeZavala Road, San Antonio conducted by Pastor Ben Trammell at 0930 AM (CST) on 28 Feb 2023. Immediately following the service, interment will be made at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Miller, Judy Miller, Jerry Zavada and Daren Haley. Honorary pallbearer will be Tom Evensvold. Porter-Loring Mortuary North, 2109 N. Loop 1604 East, San Antonio are in charge of final arrangements. Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on 27 Feb 2023.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in her name.