Dr. Ruth W. (Bowman) Swenson (1924-2018)

SWENSON, BOWMAN, WILDMAN

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

Ruth W. Swenson, who balanced a prominent scientific and administrative career at Iowa State University with lifelong dedication to humanitarian causes and the arts, died in her home at the Green Hills Retirement Community in Ames, Iowa, on March 5 at the age of 93.

Dr. Swenson was born on July 16, 1924, the daughter of Dorothy and Charles Bowman; her childhood home was in a small mining town in northeastern Pennsylvania. As a child, she spent her summers on the beaches of Long Island Sound, where she developed an early and enduring love of salt water and respect for the strength of the ocean. Dr. Swenson graduated from Pittston High School, Pennsylvania, in 1942. She entered Mount Holyoke College, dutifully following her family's wish that she major in chemistry, although she would have preferred corporate finance. In an interview many years later, she recalled how much she benefited from Mount Holyoke's support of women in science and the mentoring provided by female instructors such as Lucy Picket, a highly-regarded chemist. Dr. Swenson graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1946.

At a time when careers in science were unusual for women, Dr. Swenson earned a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1947, and spent her early professional life working in labs and collaborating on research with her first husband, Dr. William Wildman, an organic chemist. At his suggestion, she took a botany course to help him in his search for plant products with medicinal value – and, in her own words, was "hooked." Continued study led her to a doctorate in cell biology/botany from Iowa State University in 1969.

Dr. Swenson's first experience with university teaching occurred as she was finishing her doctorate. Two students marched into the cell biology office complaining about a new freshman laboratory course taught by graduate students. Dr. Clark Bowen, head of ISU's graduate program in cell biology, turned to her and said, "Ruth, go in and fix it." Collaborating with the biology department chair, Robert Frank, Dr. Swenson successfully wrote the lab manual, ordered the equipment, lectured to students, and coordinated over 20 laboratory sections.

During the redesign of the laboratory course, Dr. Swenson was struck by the small number of women who persevered with the study of science and engineering; she also realized that there were few female faculty in these disciplines to serve as mentors and role models to young women. Dr. Swenson's observations and her own experiences made her very aware of the obstacles women faced in the STEM fields. During an interview in 2000, she recalled having to keep her first pregnancy a secret by wearing a "roomy lab coat," so that she could continue working. Later, as a new university faculty member, she was told that her salary was intentionally low because she was married to a well-compensated professor.

Throughout her professional career, Dr. Swenson was active in efforts to interest young women in science and engineering. In 1977, she co-directed a National Science Foundation Career Workshop on Women in Science, and in 1986, she joined a group of ISU faculty and staff to found the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program at Iowa State. The following year, through a grant from the Iowa Science Foundation, she and other female scientists traveled to junior high and middle schools around the state talking to girls about careers in STEM fields. In recognition of her efforts to encourage women to enter non-traditional careers, Dr. Swenson was the first scientist inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 1989. That year she was also elected president of the Iowa Academy of Science. Recalling Dr. Swenson's efforts to support women in nontraditional fields, a colleague wrote, "I doubt that Ruth Swenson ever thought of it as such, but she was in many ways a 'mentor,' facilitating the careers of other women wherever she could, making sure our accomplishments were noticed, that we were represented on committees, and offering support when it was needed." (Marilyn D. Bachmann, 1988)

A self-described "people-person," Dr. Swenson expressed particular satisfaction with her work as Assistant (later Associate) Dean in the College of Sciences and Humanities (now the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) at ISU, a position she held from 1975 until her retirement in 1987. She noted that a major challenge in working as an administrator was "accepting the fact that things aren't black and white, that there has to be compromise, there has to be patience." During her tenure in the Office of the Dean, Dr. Swenson worked to make sound advising available to students in the College who had not yet decided on a specific major. She established a group of excellent professional advisers to work with these students, and her efforts were recognized by the establishment of the Ruth W. Swenson Outstanding Adviser Award in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Swenson’s integrity and willingness to work hard and effectively at anything she agreed to do gained her the respect of students and colleagues at the university. She was an invaluable committee member who often assumed leadership roles in the many professional organizations and honor societies to which she belonged. These included the American Association of University Women, the National Academic Advising Association, the Zeta of Iowa Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the ISU chapters of Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Xi, the Osborn Research Club, and Iota Sigma Pi. In 1994, Dr. Swenson received the Strong-Minded Women of Iowa State Award, in recognition of her contributions to students and their families, the university, and the broader community. At her retirement from ISU, Dr. Swenson was honored with the titles Emeritus Professor of Botany and Emeritus Associate Dean of Sciences and Humanities.

In addition to her numerous professional commitments, Dr. Swenson devoted considerable personal time and resources to supporting humanitarian, civic, and cultural organizations in the Ames and Story County communities, both before and after her retirement from the university. She enjoyed interacting with people of all ages and backgrounds and was particularly sensitive to the needs of those who were struggling to obtain health care, housing, employment, or other basic life supports. Commending her post-retirement work with the Youth and Shelter Services (YSS) in Ames, George Belitsos, the CEO of YSS wrote, "At a point in her life when she could sit back and just think about herself, Ruth has chosen to continue to give of her time, talent, and resources to help those in need. And most exemplary is how quietly she goes about it, without fanfare or want of recognition. Ruth just 'gets it done.' She sees the need and fills it."

Dr. Swenson served as a board member and/or chairperson for Heartland Senior Services, the Story County Community Dental Clinic (to which she also donated a dentist’s chair), and the Ames Emergency Residence Project. As a member of St. John’s by the Campus Episcopal Parish of Ames, she coordinated meals for the homeless shelter, chaired the Flower Committee, served on the Vestry, and baked her delectable cookies for numerous church events. She was also active in P.E.O., United Way of Story County, Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa, the Ames Center Community Council, and the League of Women Voters, which honored her with the Carrie Chapman Catt Award in 2000. Dr. Swenson, along with her second husband, Dr. Clayton Swenson, received the Outstanding Family Philanthropists Award from the Story County Alliance for Philanthropy in 2007.

Dr. Swenson often attended classical music concerts in Ames and was a charter member of the Iowa State University Museums. She served in a variety of leadership positions for the Ames International Orchestra Association and Festival Guild (IOFA), the Central Iowa Symphony Association, and the Ames Town and Gown Chamber Music Association. One of her most beloved contributions to the ISU museums was a large, beautiful blown glass pear by the artist Flora C. Mace, which is now part of the permanent collection of the Brunier Gallery.

An ardent gardener, hiker, beach rambler, and snorkeler, Dr. Swenson was a staunch supporter of conservation and efforts to protect the world’s flora and fauna. She loved nothing more than spending time outside in nature, whether tending to the plants in her attractive garden at Green Hills or exploring tide pools for hours on end. Dr. Swenson and her second husband traveled extensively in the United States and abroad, from Antarctica to the Arctic. They especially enjoyed regular trips to the Cayman Islands early in their marriage and later, two extended stays as visiting scientists in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Closer to home, Dr. Swenson was an early supporter of Reiman Gardens at ISU, later serving on the board and as a volunteer docent at the Butterfly Wing. On her 90th birthday, her husband and children commemorated a bench at Reiman to recognize her achievements and express their gratitude for her loving role in a happily blended family. A plaque on the bench celebrates three aspects of her life, "Gardener, Humanitarian, and Naturalist."

When asked about her accomplishments and contributions during an interview in 2000, Dr. Swenson replied, "I guess I've always been known for my ability to organize, and I credit science for that kind of logical thinking. I guess I feel in the twilight of life that I'm contributing to humanity and trying to improve the lot of other people. I think each of us owes a lot to society. I would hope I would leave this world having done something for humanity."

Dr. Swenson was preceded in death by her parents and her son, William Wildman. Her first marriage to William Wildman, Sr., ended in divorce. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Clayton Swenson, of Ames, Iowa, and one son, Randall “Randy” Wildman (Kelly) of Corvallis, Oregon, and a daughter-in-law, Lourdes Wildman of Summerville, South Carolina. She is also survived by one stepson, Paul Swenson (Andrea), of Piedmont, California, and their children, Lucy and Sam; and by two stepdaughters, Anna Swenson (John Kunkel) of Herndon, Virginia, and Wendy Swenson and her children, Aaron and Heather, of San Rafael, California.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 2338 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa. After the service, all are invited to the parish hall of St. John’s for refreshments and to greet family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Youth and Shelter Services Foundation or the Emergency Residence Project-Story County Community Foundation.

Adams Funeral Home in Ames is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and photos may be shared at www.adamssoderstrum.com © 2018 Soderstrum Reimers Inc.

Memorial Service
Saturday 14 Apr 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
St. John's Episcopal Church
2338 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014

Cemetery Details
Location
Iowa State University
Pammel Drive
Ames, Ia 50014

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