Obituary for Ruth Lindy (Heller) Rickett

Ruth Lindy (Heller) Rickett (W8LGY), 95, of Cardington, Ohio, formerly of Bellville, Ohio, passed away Monday, October 2, 2023 at home with her daughter, Sylvia, by her side.

Ruth grew up in Bellville, Ohio, and graduated from Bellville High School in 1945.  She attended Ashland College (University) in Ashland, Ohio, where she was in band (flute) as well as being band secretary and librarian. Ruth graduated from Ashland College in 1949 with a B.S. in (music) education with a major in piano and a minor in flute.  She then taught public school music in Union Rural School District in Richland County, Ohio, where she taught in one-room elementary school houses and also at Union High School.   

While in the Ashland College band, she met her future husband, Ralph V. Rickett, also in band (trumpet).  They married on August 14, 1949 in Bellville, Ohio. Throughout their almost 43-year marriage, they resided in Ashland, Columbus, Dublin, and New Albany, all in Ohio. 

Ruth earned her General Class amateur radio license (W8LGY) in 1953.  She and Ralph enjoyed participating in amateur radio activities together, such as Field Day and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) preparedness events.  They also enjoyed traveling in their small motorhome, attending airshows, such as in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and bicycling on their 10-speed bicycles before his untimely and sudden death on June 19, 1992. 

Ruth enjoyed reading, particularly about aviation history.  She flew with her daughter, Sylvia, across the country from The Ohio State University (Don Scott) Airport to Torrance, California, in a Grumman American AA-5B Tiger airplane.  She was thrilled with making amateur radio contacts on the 2-meter band while flying across the country. 

Ruth taught private piano lessons and held Spring recitals in their home in Dublin, Ohio.  She had approximately 250 students over 15 years. 

Ruth was a member of The Buckeye Bells, Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL), Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA), Quarter Century Wireless Women (QCWW), Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Central Ohio Radio Club (CORC), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and Westerville Model Airplane Association (WMAA).  

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Hulda Heller of Bellville, Ohio, and her husband, Ralph V. Rickett (W8BTW).   She is survived by her only daughter, Sylvia Ruth Rickett (N8AKI); cousin, Janet Hamermiller; brother-in-law, G. Franklin Rickett; nieces, Leanne Haag, Louise Goldsmith, Laura Moser, and Lynnette Davis; nephews, Rick Haag, Mark Strine, Paul Strine, and Clinton Rickett.  

There will be a gathering to remember her life on Friday, October 6, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at HILL FUNERAL HOME, 220 S. State St., Westerville, Ohio, followed by interment at Nova Cemetery in Nova, Ohio 44859 on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:30 AM.

Family and friends may contribute in her memory to Jungle Aviation and Radio Service (JAARS at www.jaars.org) or Wycliffe Bible Translators (www.wycliffe.org).