Dr. Byron E. Ruth's Obituary
Dr. Byron E. Ruth, 85, is survived by his wife Margarete R. Ruth, son Boyd and wife Audrey, daughter Toni and husband Jason Husseman, and brothers, Monty Ruth and Donald Ruth..
After graduation from high school, Byron worked in Civil Engineering, part time with the Northwestern Railway, and Northern Illinois Gas Company while pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree. Subsequently, in 1956 he was drafted into the US Army, completed basic training and he became an instructor in cartography at the Engineers School in Fort Belvoir, VA. In 1958, he went to Purdue University for a Masters Degree followed by employment on a road project in northern Michigan and research with a modular concrete forming company where he developed new products and received eight patents. In 1961, he became an instructor in Civil Engineering and conducted research, while taking classes and working toward a PhD at West Virginia University until 1970. He then moved to join the faculty at the University of Florida. In the year 2000, he retired as professor emeritus. He was very active in many technical and professional societies, having served as member and chairman of Committees, Board of Directors, President, and received numerous awards. In 1996, the National Asphalt Pavement Association bestowed at him “The Ronald D. Kenyon Research Award” for an extensive and impressive record of research into construction materials, processes that have benefited the hot-mix-asphalt industry. He has traveled worldwide. He was an avid hunter and angler. In his youth, he owned his own fly-tying business. He enjoyed tying his fishing flies and giving them away. He was very able in wood working, leather tooling and building whatever he needed.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd Street. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorials to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90 Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606.
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