Long-time University of Minnesota professor Ruth Thomas died Jan. 27, after an extended illness. Dr. Thomas was a member of the faculty for 36 years. She served as head of the Division of Home Economics Education for 11 years and as chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for 6 years. She received several awards for her teaching and research, producing numerous publications, including articles, books, and monographs, and developed and tested new approaches to technology-assisted learning.
Dr. Thomas is survived by her husband, Paul Thomas, and son, David. Her burial service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 31, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2131 Fairview Ave, Roseville. Visitation is 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Roseville Memorial Chapel, 2245 N. Hamline Ave., 651-631-2727, and 1 hour prior until start of church services on Thursday. Memorials honoring her and her daughter should be made to the Paula C. Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers.