Ruth Barton

RUTH PENDERGRASS BARTON, 78, died November 23, 2012 in Colorado Springs. She was a professor of English at Colorado College for 40 years, teaching courses that ranged from the poetry of W.B. Yeats to children’s literature.

Memorial services at Colorado College’s Shove Memorial Chapel will be held Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.

Professor Barton was born July 7, 1934 in Sweetwater, Texas to Ruby C. and John W. Pendergrass. She was married April 21, 1957, in Fort Worth, Texas to Tom K. Barton who preceded her in death in 1997. She lived in Colorado Springs since 1963.

Professor Barton earned her doctorate at the University of Wisconsin. She was a founder, director, and advisor of Cutler Publications and the Writing Center at Colorado College. Her many honors included the Ruth Barton Award established in 1996 to recognize outstanding contributions to student journalism. She received the Gresham Riley Award for service to the College in 1998 and a maple tree was planted on campus in her name in 2003 when she retired.

Professor Barton was an active member of the League of Women Voters, serving as the Pikes Peak Region President in 2005-2006 and on the Administrative Team from 2000-2007.

She is survived by a son, Tiff E. M. Barton of Colorado Springs; a granddaughter Katherine Belle Miller of Calhan, Colo.; a grandson, Benjamin Gregory Rosing of Fort Collins, Colo.; and four sisters-in-law, Anita Pendergrass of San Antonio, Texas; Mary Barton of Lubbock, Texas; Nell Barton of Arlington, Texas; Inas Barton of Waco, Texas, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Belle B. Rosing, a sister, Marian P. Michael, and two brothers, B. Pat and Lewis Pendergrass.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made in Ruth’s name to the Journalism Program at Colorado College, 14 East Cache la Poudre, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.