Obituary for Ruth Deacon

Ruth E. Deacon, age 100, died on February 13^th, 2024. She is survived by her sister Helen Swank, plus thirteen nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd T. and Madge Deacon, a sister, Doris Hollinger, and two brothers, Raymon Deacon, and Howard Deacon.

Ruth Deacon was born in eastern Ohio and was raised by parents who were firmly committed to education. She was a 4-H Club member, was in the band and orchestra, and was co-valedictorian of her graduating high school class.

She graduated from the Ohio State University with a degree in home economics education. She completed her MS and PhD degrees in home management at Cornell University and served on the Cornell faculty for ten years. She was on the academic faculty of OSU for sixteen years, following which she served as faculty member and college dean for thirteen years at Iowa State University, from which she retired in 1987.

Her interest in international education is evidenced by her consulting work in Egypt, The Netherlands, Brazil, and Costa Rica, and her teaching work in Nova Scotia, Alberta, and the University of Panama.

She was a prolific writer in professional journals and co-authored a college-level text on home management. She received numerous professional awards and recognitions, including being designated a “Legend” by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

She has been an active member of the Indianola Presbyterian Church during her time in Columbus.