Roger Francis Ruth was born on August 29, 1926 in Paintsville, Kentucky, to Paulina (“Pina”) Borders Ruth and James Belmont Ruth. He was called to be with his Heavenly Father on Monday, March 18, 2019, at the age of 92, following a brief illness. The youngest of six children, Roger greatly enjoyed his childhood in Paintsville and had fond memories of fishing and playing on the Native American mounds near his home. He was also a polio survivor from the age of 12, yet never let the disease define him.
After graduating from Paintsville High School in 1944, he attended the University of Kentucky as a first generation college student and received a degree in Industrial Chemistry. He was an active member of the fraternal organization Pi Kappa Alpha at UK and a PIKE for life. He was also a lifelong member of the Honorary Chemistry Society of Alpha Chi Sigma. He was an avid, life-long sports fan and followed Kentucky Wildcats basketball his entire life. While he was a student during the years of Coach Rupp, he never missed a home game and traveled to all away games by train.
Upon graduation, he began working for Union Carbide/Dow Chemical in Charleston, West Virginia, and dedicated his entire career to the company for 42 years before he retired. In 1954, he was one of the last of the originals to move from Charleston to open the Seadrift plant in Seadrift, Texas, for Union Carbide. He loved his years spent with the company in both the laboratory and later in the computer/technology department. Following years of research in the 1960’s, he received a patent for programmable control devices in May of 1968. In the 1980’s, he began consulting for the company and retired in 1990 when his grandchildren were born.
Roger obtained his pilot’s license and owned a plane with his brother Claude B. Once he began working in Charleston, he purchased another plane and flew it back and forth to Lexington, Kentucky, to visit his family on the weekends. Upon moving to Texas, he met the love of his life, Mary Louise Gripp Ruth, of Victoria, Texas. They married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on June 4, 1955, and were married for 63 years.
An extraordinary and devoted husband, father and Poppy, Roger is survived by his beloved wife Mary Louise, his daughter Valerie Ruth New of The Woodlands, Texas, his grandson Cameron William New, 31, of Houston, Texas, his granddaughter Brooke Katherine New, 28, of Fort Worth, Texas, and numerous nieces, nephews and their respective families. He was predeceased by his parents, James and Pina Ruth, brother James B. Ruth and wife Eileen, brother Claude B. Ruth and wife Delilah, and sister Helen Fugate and husband Chalmer.
He left a legacy to his family and community through his strong Faith in God and prioritization of his greatest life accomplishment, family. He was an inventor and scientist with an incredibly inquisitive and creative mind. He loved classic movies, novels, newspapers, and treasured his favorite pastime of traveling across the country by automobile to some of God’s most beautiful creations, our National Parks. His favorite destinations were Yosemite National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. We will forever cherish the memories, laughter and good times shared together, but most of all the love he instilled in our family which will carry on for generations.
The visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Victoria, Texas, on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 9:00 AM, followed by the rosary at 9:30 AM and funeral service at 10:00 AM. He will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation towards St. Mary’s Catholic Church or Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, both located in Victoria, Texas and rebuilding from the effects of Hurricane Harvey.
The family would also like to gratefully recognize the exceptional care provided by caregivers Stacie Covert-McMann and Erica Allen.
Share condolences at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
