Ruth Ella Langdon

Ruth Ella Langdon peacefully left life’s class room on January 15, 2016 at the age of 97 years old. Born June 13, 1918, in Mt. Morris, Michigan, Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Margaret Langdon, sisters Earldene Yetter, Margaret Langdon and Helen Esson and infant brother Harold Langdon. Ruth is survived by her younger sister Kathleen “Kitty” Schweigert of Warren, Michigan. While never married, Ruth adored her: 6 nieces and 7 nephews; 14 grand nephews and 7 grand nieces; 6 great -grand nieces and 10 great-grand nephews.

Ruth was born and grew up in Mt. Morris where she and her four sister were the “Langdon Girls”; all five were fun, active and bright. Ruth graduated from Mt. Morris high school in 1936. In 1940, Ruth graduated from Central Michigan Teachers College (now Central Michigan University) and began her teaching career in Flint, Michigan. During the war she and her sister Earldene came to California to work during the summers in the war plants. Not exactly Rosie the Riveter, Ruth was a secretary to Donald Douglas at the Douglas Aircraft plant. Ruth was recruited by one of college roommates to come to San Bernardino to teach. Ruth was hired immediately in 1945 and continued to be an elementary school teacher (grades 1 to 3) until her retirement in 1978. Ruth’s dedication to her kids led her to not take any sick days in her 33 year career. “Miss Langdon” will be warmly remembered by many of her thousands of students she taught at Davidson, Kendall, Elliott and other elementary schools in San Bernardino. Ruth continued to reside in San Bernardino until her death, she will be missed and remembered by her neighbors on Pershing.

An avid traveler, upon retirement she sailed around the world on the QE2. Ruth made numerous road trips across the US to Michigan, Canada and the East Coast. Ruth’s frequent travel companion was her sister Margaret (aka Barney Oldfield). As navigator, Ruth keep an eye on the map and sang loudly to keep Margaret awake while driving. Ruth took nieces and nephews on trips to the World’s Fairs in Seattle and NewYork and frequently sent cards with money to all the kids.

Ruth was a classic “old school” teacher of the past. Single, Christian, strict teacher who believed in her kids, taught them all to read, write and compute and shared her teaching skills and materials with her colleagues. Ruth will be missed, but her inspiration lives in those who were in her classes. Ruth was a member of Rialto First Baptist Church and Sun Rise Baptist Church and continued to attend until she was no longer able to drive. Ruth and her sisters Earldene and Margaret were active in American Baptist Women’s (ABW) group at Calvary Baptist Church (now North Point Christian Fellowship) in San Bernardino.

Viewing will be 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at Montecito Memorial Park. Service will be held at Montecito on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at 10:00 AM; burial to immediately follow at Monticeto Memorial Park; Reception will follow at Montecito immediately follow.