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My beloved wife, Ruth, passed away on January 15, 2018, just a month after our 62nd wedding anniversary. Hers was an active, often adventurous life, traveling and living here and there in the world, and once going all the way around. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and finally, great grandmother. Born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming, she graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1951, and from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1955. She and I met as seniors in high school, dated through college, and married shortly after graduation. My commissioning as an Army officer (ROTC) dictated our future.

Over the years we moved 22 times, living in Ft. Carson, Colorado; Germany (twice, three years each time); Ft. Bragg North Carolina; Okinawa, Japan (three and half years); Ft. Benning, Georgia; Newport, Rhone Island; Durham, North Carolina; West Point, New York (faculty assignment); and Washington , DC.

Ruth met the challenges of Army life with determination, humor and yes, courage. I was frequently absent on training missions or combat (two years in Vietnam), so she was often on her own managing family affairs and raising our three children. She set up an efficient, pleasant and comfortable household many times in new communities and foreign environments. She was always an enthusiastic participant, and often a leader in the mutual support system of close knit Army communities.

A few examples of unusual challenges would include the monthly Army practice alerts during our first three years in Germany. When the phone rant, usually around 3:00a.m., I would quickly leave to join my unit. She would review the emergency evacuation plan for families; check her getaway bag-always by the door-review the assembly plan and evacuation routes, and ensure our car's fuel tank was always at least half full. the Cold War could turn hot at any moment. It was 24/7 readiness for soldiers and families alike.

On another occasion my unit was ordered from Ft. Bragg to Okinawa. I went ahead; Ruth several months pregnant, flew across the Pacific to join me. Our first son was born soon after her arrival, in the Army hospital on Okinawa. A second son followed two years later in the same hospital. Our daughter was born during my first tour in Vietnam, Ruth in Cheyenne then with support of family and friends.

It wasn't all hard work and stress. Ruth liked to travel, and when I had time off she arranged trips. We saw France, Spain, Italy, Austria, England, Denmark and Sweden; in the far east Manila and Hong Kong. When near New York City we dined at Windows on the World and danced in the Rainbow Room.

Our final retirement destination was Evergreen, Colorado, our home since 1996. Ruth's two older brothers, Scott and Kent Campbell, predeceased her. Everyone else mentioned here is alive and well, including two great grandchildren.

Ruth lived a full life, raised three children on the fly (they turned out well- two attorneys and a a business executive), was an attentive grandmother to six granddaughters, and throughout our marriage a loving wife and companion. She will be sorely missed my all of us, but her examples of strength, resilience and determination live on. She "Seized the Day" every day!
Don Cluxton, her husband.

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