Betty Ruth Estes passed away in Kingwood Texas on February 17th surrounded by family. Betty was born in Altus, Oklahoma December 28th, 1935 to a large family that in Betty’s words, “Had lots of love and no money.” She was the youngest of eight children who were always encouraged to work hard and excel at all they tried. It was evident early in Betty’s life that her strength was in math and science. Her precocious mind led her to an early graduation from Altus High School and then on to The University of Oklahoma at the age of sixteen.
After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in mathematics and a minor in physics, Betty studied math in Kiel,Germany for a year on a Fulbright Scholarship. Upon her return from Germany, she attended graduate school at The University of Pennsylvania. After earning her masters degree, she did computer work for the Burroughs Corporation in Paoli, PA. However, her interests in working more with people and education led her back to the University of Oklahoma where she studied the history of science.
Once her studies were completed, Betty began to pursue an academic career in the history of science. In 1971, She joined the faculty of The Evergreen State College as one of eight women hired to teach the first year the college was opened. While at Evergreen, she served as the second Chair of the Faculty, an academic advisor and an outstanding teacher of the humanities and sciences.
Betty soon settled into her house on Eld Inlet. This began the happiest stage of Betty's life. While here, she relished the opportunity to spend time alone, watch birds and garden. She often entertained faculty and students and loved sharing the home with friends and family. Betty retired from Evergreen and was awarded Emeritus Faculty status on June 11, 1998.
One of Betty’s lifelong passions was birding. Living on Eld Inlet allowed her to pursue this passion from her own front yard. Her avid bird watching never waned. Even in her later years, living in Texas, she watched daily and continued to share exciting new discoveries with her family. Betty’s shared love of birding created a special bond with her dear nephew Michael.
In 1982, Betty met her future husband Bill Mertena. They were married in December of 1989 in a small ceremony with family. Betty’s family grew to include Bill’s five children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Throughout the years, Betty welcomed the family into her home for holidays and family gatherings. Bill and Betty shared their love of birding, gardening, cooking, music, literature, travel and politics until Bill’s death in October of 2001.
In her later years, Betty relocated to Houston Texas so she could be close to her loving niece Phyllis and Phyllis’s husband Art Howell. In Texas she was surrounded by her great nieces and nephews and their many children. She continued to pursue her love of birding, computer gaming and poker.
While Betty has played her last hand of poker, she will forever be held in the hearts of her large, extended family and friends. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, July 10th 2021. If you would like to join Betty’s family and friends in celebration please contact us at [email protected] for information and details regarding the time and location of the celebration. As more information becomes available we will update this space.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Olympia Food Bank, The Audubon Society or The Nature Conservancy.
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