Royal F. Ruth

Royal Francis Ruth, known to family and friends as "Bud," passed away at hospice in Des Moines, IA early in the morning of November 14th, 2013, after battling cancer for several years. Bud was born in Des Moines on October 3, 1925, to parents Verl and Margaret (Callaghan). He was predeceased by his parents, his eldest brother Charles Edward II, and his two sisters Mary Louisa (Huntley) and Sarah Adella. He is survived by his brother Charles Edward III of Des Moines; his wife Jean (Bouma) of Edmonton, Alberta; and by his son Makino,"Kino," wife Christina (Willemsen) and granddaughter Jennifer (Willemsen), all of Clinton, NY.

Bud grew up in Iowa and graduated from Dowling High School in Des Moines. He volunteered for the U.S. Army and served in the 87th Infantry Division in WW II in Europe, returning to attend and graduate from Grinnell College in Iowa. After marrying in 1950, he began his life's work in science, obtaining his PhD in Biology/Zoology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and doing early research at Indiana University and at Johns Hopkins University.

In 1961, Bud was appointed to the faculty at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where he achieved the rank of Full Professor in the Department of Zoology. During his 30 years at the U of A, Bud established an advanced research laboratory team that produced important work in immunology, generously funded by the National Research Council of Canada. He will be remembered and honored for his dedication to science, for his support of his professional colleagues at the University, and for his love of teaching both undergraduate and graduate students.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of University Park Nursing Center and of Bright Kavanagh Hospice of Des Moines, and Larry and Karen Huntley, for their wonderful care and support. Very special thanks go to Bud's much loved friend Patricia Grant, and her sister Carmen (Victoria, BC.) Services will be private, with burial in Sandtown Cemetery in Hills, IA.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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