Ruth Ellen Rowntree

Obituary Ruth E. Rowntree Ruth passed away 19 July 2009 in Gig Harbor, from complications due to Parkinson's disease. She is survived by her loving husband Ken Rowntree, and a brother Tim Howes. She was born in Springfield, MA 15 August 1917 and was the oldest of the five Howes children. She graduated from High School with honors in 1933. After High School her education included Radcliffe College, George Washington University, University of California San Francisco and USAF Air Command and Staff College. After working in Holyoke Massachusetts for several years Ruth joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in October 1942 and in 1943 she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Women's Army Corps. Ruth's career field was Budget Management that took her to Army Bases in Illinois and Georgia before going to Wiesbaden, Germany in 1946. While in Germany many Officers were offered the option to stay in the Army or change to the new service, the United States Air Force. Fortunately Ruth chooses the Air Force because in 1949 her next duty assignment was to Hamilton AFB, CA where her future husband Ken Rowntree, a pilot, was stationed. Their first meeting at a party was LOVE at first sight and so marriage followed on 14 January 1950 in Carson City Nevada. In 1951 Ruth and her husband transferred to McChord AFB, Tacoma where Ruth worked in the Budget management office. In 1953 she was notified that she was on orders to go back to Germany but did not want to have a long separation from her husband so she resigned her commission as a Major. From 1953 to 1959 Ruth did volunteer work at Tacoma's Indian Hospital. She was an active member of the Tacoma Unit of the Women's Overseas Service League and served as National Service Chairperson, Vice President from 1996 to 1998. From 1959 to 1977 Ruth moved with her husband as he was transferred to new and interesting places and made friends in Yuma AZ, San Diego, CA, Everett, WA and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. At Elmendorf AFB she worked for the Command Civil Engineers as a budget officer from 1965 to 1977 and retired as a GS 12 with a total of 23 years combined Military and Civil Service time. Ruth's retirement with her husband was always fun and interesting. At first living in Olympia and belonging to the Olympia Yacht Club where she was President of the Wife's club for one term. She greatly enjoyed boating in their 42 foot Grand Banks, cruising the San Juan Islands and the Canadian inland waters. Ruth was a wonderful shipmate and an excellent skipper and navigator. In 1987 she and husband moved to Anacortes to start a bus service between Oak Harbor and Sea-Tac Airport that became a big success. Four years later there was an offer to buy the business so it seemed a good time to follow a lifelong dream. The business, home and boat were sold and a 40 foot motor home was purchased. The next 3 years were spent visiting all of the contiguous United State and all Canadian Provinces. Northern States in the summer and Southern States in the winter. In 1994 Ruth felt the need for a home so a move to Shelton was made. Two years later another move to Tacoma was made. During these times 6 months of winter were spent with motor home in Arizona and 6 months at home. The last 8 years of Ruth's life had Parkinson's disease. Each passing year the disease became worse, a condition that required her to live in an Assisted Living home in June 2004 and in 2006 a move into a skilled nursing facility was necessary. She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her. The Funeral will take place at Tahoma National Cemetery with Military Honors on Monday, July 27, 2009 at 2:30pm Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com . Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.