Ruth Smith 1893-1957

SMITH

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/1/2011 at 15:55:57

Ruth Smith, Teacher Here 37 Years, Dies (by Doug Oleson)
Miss Ruth Smith, 63, well known and highly respected Estherville High School faculty member for the past 37 years died at [ ] a.m. today at Holy Family Hospital.

She had been hospitalized off and on since last fall and had been at the hospital this time since shortly after Christmas. She had observed Christmas at her home here with her sister-in-law, Mrs. Hortense Smith of Washington, D.C. and niece, Miss Betty Smith of California, as her guests.

Miss Smith joined the Estherville High School faculty as a mathematics instructor in 1919. She had been granted a leave of absence last October because of her health and this leave was extended for the second semester.

Last Tuesday Miss Smith had submitted the following letter of resignation to E. W. Robinson, president of the Estherville Board of Education:

“I wish to submit to the members of the Board of Education my resignation as a teacher at Estherville High School.

“May I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the previous board members, [ ] administrators, the people of Estherville and the many students of my classes for the years it was my pleasure to have served the community.

“My best wishes for continued success of the high school as it moves into the new building in the fall. Respectfully submitted, Ruth Smith

As a member of the Estherville faculty, Miss Smith had been advisor for Inner Circle here [ ]. Girls of that group had visited Miss Smith at Christmas time and presented her a gift in appreciation for her devoted work.

Miss Smith has also served as class sponsor for senior classes since 1922 and this past summer was the guest of honor at a reunion of her first senior class, the 1923 graduates. However she is probably best remembered for her devotion to her teaching duties. Her skill as a mathematics instructor was held in high esteem by her colleagues and her pupils.

She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional teachers organization and the Methodist Church where she had been active in Guild as long as her health permitted and for a number of years had taught a high school Sunday School class in the church.

(Remainder too faint to read] (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, April 19, 1957)

Respects Paid to Miss Ruth Smith; Beloved Teacher
Last Friday [April 19, 1957] one of Estherville’s most beloved teachers, Miss Ruth Smith, passed away, but to all who knew her she will live in their hearts forever.

Miss Smith taught algebra, plane geometry, and trigonometry in Estherville High School for practically 35 years. In this time she has taught hundreds of students . . . students who will agree that she was one of the best math teachers to be found. Besides their respect for her as a teacher, they grew to love her as a person, a person who would help them the best that she could when she needed help.

For many years she was a sponsor of Inner Circle, and endeared herself to the members by her kind and loving ways. One of her most charming customs was that of reading poems and stories to the members at the last meeting of the year as a farewell to seniors.

Miss Smith came to Estherville in 1921 and during her tenure she saw a number of changes. The Roosevelt building was added in 1928; the junior college in 1923; the Maniece building and an addition to the Lincoln about 1950; and a kindergarten in 1951. When she began teaching here there was an enrollment of approximately 1170 and today it has grown to 2049. Yes, she has viewed these changes over the years and the greatest change of all was to come this next year. . the senior high-college building. But unfortunately she won’t see it.

Miss Smith is a wonderful example of what a dedicated teacher can do in and to a school. She has unquestionably influenced the lives of all the students and teacher who have known her and will be remembered by them forever. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, April 27, 1957)