Ruth Blackburn Clinard, 86 died on Tuesday, January 19, 1999 at her home in Santa Barbara, California. She had lived in Santa Fe, from 1979-1990.

Ruth was born in Caldwell, Kansas on October 13, 1912 to Leslie Clark Blackburn and Clara Taylor Blackburn. She is survived by her husband, Marshall Barron Clinard, who she married on January 21, 1936.

She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Mary Watt; a brother, Robert Blackburn; and by a son Lawrence Marshall.

In addition to her husband she is survived by a daughter Marsha Clinard (and her husband Charles Boast) of Champaign, Illinois; a son, Stephen Clinard (and his wife Paula) of Boxford, Massachusetts; four grandchildren (Eric Schacht of Urbana, Illinois , Marshall Schacht of Champaign, Illinois, and Amy and Andrew Clinard of Boxford, Massachusetts); One great -granddaughter Madison Schacht of Champaign, Illinois and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ruth grew up in Olney, Illinois and received her Bachelor of Arts degree form Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio and a master's degree in Social Work from the University f Chicago School of Social Service Administration. She worked as a medical social worker of Cook County Hospital, Chicago and the University of Iowa Hospitals in lowa City. She was also involved in volunteer work including the American Red Cross, The League of Women Voters, and the Santa Barbara Medical Clinic Auxiliary where she served as President from 1992-93. Ruth resided from 1946-79 in Madison, Wisconsin where her husband was on the sociology faculty at the University of Wisconsin. They retired to Santa Fe, New Mexico (1979-90) before moving to Santa Barbara.

An international traveler, Ruth had an intense love of mountains. She and her husband spent much time in the Grand Tetons and Swiss Alps, and trekked in Nepals on many occasions. She also had a special love of all things French and spent time traveling in French speaking countries. Her specialize was French West Africa. She read French literature and continued, until she died, to study French and to belong to French conversation groups. She collaborated with her husband and typed and edited his numerous publications. As a result of her husband's work, they lived several years abroad in India, Sweden, Switzerland and Uganda.

Published in Santa Fe New Mexican, The (NM) - February 7, 1999