Ruth Alper

Ruth Alper passed away July 26, 2015 at age 98. A 60 year resident of Las Vegas, Ruth was born in NY to Russian immigrant parents, Philip and Elsie Cohen. She was the youngest of five daughters. Ruth worked as a secretary in Manhattan NY for a plastics company that made cellulose for the toy industry. Ruth married Arby Alper on November 4, 1942, which began a lifetime partnership in many business ventures. They owned and ran the Sea Isle Beach Club in Long Island NY, a beach front apartment building in Long Beach NY, a tool and dye company, an aeronautical parts company and a Sinclair gas station, all in NY. They moved to Las Vegas in 1955 buying a motel (The Desert Isle) on the south end of the strip and subsequently a second motel (The Bagdad Inn) on the north end of the strip. During this time Ruth and Arby bought more land around the Las Vegas Valley, including land where Balley’s now sits as well as the land that is now Seven Hills. Ruth and Arby were the developers and owners of Sky Harbor Airport in Henderson NV which they operated for many years until it was sold and now bears the name Henderson Executive Airport. Ruth was a loving devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Nothing gave her more pleasure than to be part of her children and grandchildren’s lives. She gave unselfishly in every way possible to all her family and was truly the matriarch of all. She was very much loved, and will always be in our hearts and thoughts and forever missed. Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Bruce in 1985, her husband in 1998 and all of her sisters. She is survived by her daughter Susan Vermillion-Mugge (Steve) and son Eliot Alper, grandchildren Monica, Grant, Jason, Allice, Justin, Kevin, Gabrial and Stephanie all of Las Vegas, Kimberly of California and Nick of Utah. Great grandchildren Tyler, Colton, Kanyon, Kaden, Vivian, Jacob, Adalyn, Amanda , Ashley, Hunter, Trevor, Brooke, Nash and Knox. Visitation will be from 9:30am Tuesday August 4, 2015 followed by services at 10:00am. Services will be held at King David Memorial Chapel, 2697 E. Eldorado Lane, Las Vegas NV 89120 followed by interment at Palm Eastern Cemetery 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89123. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Nevada SPCA. The arrangements were handled by King David.