Ruth Bowden Johnson

Ruth Bowden Johnson, age 81, of Dublin, Ohio, died Friday, Febraury 24, 2012 in Columbus. Ruthie was born in Bridgeport, CT July 22, 1930. She graduated with honors from Bassick Senior High School in 1948 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from The University of Bridgeport in 1952. During her college years, Ruthie was President of the Beta Gamma Sorority, Secretary of the Freshman Class, Student Development Fund Division Chairman and Captain of the Cheerleaders. She lettered all four years in Intramural Sports & Cheerleading and was the Women’s Basketball Team Manager. After graduation, Ruthie started a longtime career with RCA Corporation as an analyst in the Quality Control Division in New Jersey. In 1971, she moved to Findlay, Ohio with her family. At age 47, Ruthie went back to college at The University of Findlay studying computer programming. She went on to work at the University’s main computer center as a computer programmer for several years. Her career then continued at RCA, in Findlay, as a Senior Quality Control Analyst for the U.S. Military contracted through RCA. Many of the devices she analyzed were utilized on the NASA space shuttles. In contrast to her mathematical side, Ruthie was an artist, creating large scale oil paintings as her favorite hobby. She was an avid arts supporter as well, being involved in the Findlay Area Art League. She was an art education guest speaker at Findlay Schools and loved to give talks on her favorite artist, Winslow Homer. In addition, Ruthie was President of the Findlay Garden Club, President of the Gourmet Club and taught Sunday school at First Presbyterian Church in Findlay. She was a Camp Fire Girls leader for her daughter’s troop and even set up a “home school” at her house for the neighborhood kids during the Blizzard of 1978 when the schools couldn’t operate. In 1997, Ruthie moved to Dublin, Ohio to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren soon to be. Continuing her love of the arts, she became a volunteer for the Dublin Arts Council. She also loved watching sporting events, especially college football and basketball, with her favorite being The Ohio State Buckeyes. Of all the roles and achievements she has had throughout her life, there is no doubt that her greatest role was that of loving mother and grandmother. She was very close to her daughter and two grandchildren who called her “Ru Ru”. She is survived by her best friend and daughter, Tala Johnson Rogers and her two grandchildren Austin and Addison Rogers, all of Dublin; as well as her sister Doris Giammatteo and three nieces Tracy, Lisa and Cindy and a nephew Dana Giammatteo, all of Bridgeport, CT. Private funeral services were observed by the family with burial following at Jerome Cemetery, Jerome Twp. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to consider a memorial contribution in Ruthie’s memory to the Dublin Arts Council, 7125 Riverside Drive, Dublin, OH 43016 (6140-889-7444 www.dublinarts.org. Rutherford Funeral Home at Powell, 450 West Olentangy St., Powell, OH 43065 (614)-792-1471 assisted the family. Send condolences for the family to: www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com.

Ruth Bowden Johnson

February 24, 2012