Ruth Rae Masters
February 25, 1931 - June 19, 2018
Obituary
Ruth Rae Masters, R.N., M.P.H., born February 25, 1931; died June 19, 2018. Ruth passed peacefully after a short stay in Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, surrounded by family. She was married to Richard L. Masters, M.D., for 58 years, who preceded her in death on October 19, 2014. She is survived by her loving sons, Brian, Kenneth, and Ross; her beloved daughters-in-law, Kara, Shelly, and Mary Jeanne; and her cherished grandson, Addison (Max) Graham.
Ruth was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Carl and Nellie Brewer. She earned her B.S.N.; worked as an R.N. for many years; raised her boys; and returned to school to obtain her Master of Public Health degree at the University of New Mexico, graduating at the top of her class at age 50. She was Executive Director of the New Mexico Nurses Association, and was chosen Woman of the Year for her work on behalf of that organization. Among many notable accomplishments, she coauthored an influential study on the incidence of cataracts in pilots, and managed her husband’s aerospace medical consultancy, Aviation & Preventive Medicine Associates, in Denver, CO. Later in life, she provided senior-adult education on her treasured Charles Dickens at the University of Denver; cared nobly for her beloved husband, making it possible for him to pass peacefully at home; and became a trusted and loving friend and leader at Madrona House, on Bainbridge Island, WA.
Celebration of Life, Thursday, July 5, 2018, 1:30 p.m., at Madrona House, 8800 Madison Ave. No., Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110. A second celebration with Ruth’s friends in Denver is being planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Ruth’s name to the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (www.biartmuseum.org) or to the Denver Public Library (www.denverlibrary.org).
We offer our sincere condolences to the Masters family. My wife Sandra and I were fortunate for having had some great conversations with Ruth. She will be fondly remembered.
– Cedric, Sandra & Jamari