Ruth Schuster Rohloff

The daughter of an Evangelical United Brethren minister, Ruth majored in Education at the University of Toledo and graduated from the Bach Conservatory of Music in Toledo. She continued further study in Organ at Southern Methodist University’s (SMU) School of Music and specialized in choral and children’s work.

After she married Vincent L. Rohloff on October 12, 1940, in Toledo, Ohio, the young couple began their life journey together in Dallas, Texas, where they raised their five children. Ruth began her church music career at the age of 14 when she started playing the organ at her Father’s church. While studying at SMU, she served as Organist at All Saints Episcopal Church in Dallas.

Following her graduate study at SMU, Ruth became the organist at Highland Park Methodist Church. She moved to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church where she served several years as Director of Music and Organist. Ruth then became Organist, Director of Children’s Choirs at Lovers Lane Methodist Church where she built the program to include over 150 children, ages four through eight. In addition, her responsibilities included being Assistant Director of the Chancel Choirs. Ruth served Lovers Lane Methodist for 12 years.

After a brief “retirement”, Ruth agreed to serve as the Interim Director of Music at Chapel Hill Methodist Church. That temporary assignment lasted seven years, and in the process, she organized six new choirs. From there she moved on to Churchill Way Presbyterian Church, now known as Bentwood Trail Presbyterian, as Interim Organist and Director of Music. That service lasted another 10 years when she finally decided to retire so that she could provide care for her husband.

Active in the community, Ruth directed children’s choirs for numerous community events, volunteered to teach music at Scottish Rite Hospital, and conducted music workshops for choirs and church school workers not only in Dallas, but in other Texas cities as well.

An interesting side note to her enriched life, Ruth was the organist for the formal opening of Stemmons Freeway in Dallas. She was a 68-year member of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), served as President of her Chapter as well as the Chairman of Music for several State P.E.O. conventions. She also formed the Dallas P.E.O. chorus. Ruth was also a long-time member of the American Guild of Organists and the Choristers Guild.

In her spare time, Ruth enjoyed reading, sewing, entertaining and spending time with a group of her friends known as the “Birdies.” However, her favorite pastime was being surrounded by her family and having the opportunity to spoil her grand and great grandchildren.

Ruth is preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years, Vincent L. Rohloff, who was an attorney, an estate planner and C.L.U. She was also preceded by her parents, her sister Gladys, her brother Wesley and her great grandson Billy. Ruth is survived by her daughter,r Ruth Marie Rohloff of Dallas, sons Vincent L. Rohloff, Jr. (wife Patte) of Grand Prairie, TX, William A. Rohloff (wife Cathy) of Coppell, TX, Gaylord W. Rohloff (wife Lorraine) of Santa Rosa Valley, California, and Robert G. (Bobby) Rohloff (wife Brienne – deceased) of North East, Pennsylvania. She is also survived by her Sister-in-Law, Elaine Mommsen of Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Ruth will be remembered fondly by her 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and two nieces.

A private committal service will be held on Tuesday, June 27th, at Sparkman-Hillcrest Cemetery in Dallas, to be followed by a Celebration of Life at Bentwood Trail Presbyterian Church, 6000 Bentwood Trail, Dallas, TX 75252.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Ruth’s honor to Bentwood Trail Presbyterian Church’s music program, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services of Texas (http://texas.pchas.org/), and Happy Hill Farm (https://www.happyhillfarm. org/).

And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come?

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.

He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life.

The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forever more.

Psalm 121