Ruth W. Kuykendall

Ruth W. Kuykendall Ruth W. Kuykendall, 89, a retired staff member of the University of Texas, died October 14, 2004, in an assisted living facility in Pflugerville, Texas. Before her retirement in 1977, she served the University in the office of the President, on the editorial staff of the Texas Quarterly and at the Art Museum. The only child of James Stuart Kuykendall and Ruth Wharton Kuykendall, Miss Kuykendall was born October 21, 1914, and grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was a graduate of Salem College (A.B., 1936) and earned a Master of Arts degree in Romance Languages from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1937). She was fluent in Spanish and worked for a time as a translator. Her other experience included work at the University of North Carolina Press. Miss Kuykendall came to Austin in 1953 and embraced Texas as her new home, but her North Carolina accent remained with her throughout her life. She read widely and, as long as her health permitted, she traveled extensively, primarily in Europe, but also in Mexico. Her trips were documented in a collection of photographic slides. Her other enthusiasms included gardening, especially roses, and cooking. She was generous in sharing rose cuttings with neighbors and serving delicious meals to friends. She was a faithful member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Miss Kuykendall is survived by a goddaughter, Deborah Dabney Kincaid of Magnolia, Arkansas. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 18, 2004 at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 11201 Parkfield, Austin, Texas 78757. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705 - (512) 452-8811. You may view memorials online at wcfish.com