Ruth Ann Brungraber of Hightstown, NJ died peacefully of natural causes on April 8, 2018 at the age of 88 with family members at her side. She and her husband of 66 years, Robert J. “Bob” Brungraber, were former residents of Spring Lake, NJ; Lewisburg, PA; Princeton, NJ; Schenectady, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Ithaca, NY; and Casablanca, Morocco. They met as undergraduates at the University of Michigan, from which they graduated together in 1951.
Mrs. Brungraber was born Ruth Ann Grace Rupp to Lyman G. and Ruth I. Rupp in Toledo, Ohio on May 13, 1929. She graduated from Scott High School prior to attending the University of Michigan. As newlyweds she and her civil engineer husband moved to Casablanca, Morocco in 1951. In 1953 they returned to the United States in order for him to pursue graduate studies.
As the young mother of two and wife of a college professor, Ruth was an active volunteer and supporter of numerous nonprofit organizations. She served as President of the PTA in suburban Pittsburgh and President of the Newcomers Club for young faculty spouses at Princeton University. Following her husband’s retirement from teaching, she managed both his professional consulting practice and manufacturing business, Slip Test, Incorporated. Together they traveled intrepidly throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Ruth Ann never walked through a beautiful garden or sat down to a good bridge game she did not like. Nevertheless, her abiding passion was family. She is survived by her husband of Hightstown, NJ; children Robert L. “Ben” of Delran, NJ and Margaret (John) Ruttenberg of New York, NY; five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and ten nieces and nephews. Her only sibling, Mary Elizabeth Barger of Winchester, MA predeceased her.
Ruth Ann’s thousand-watt smile and uproarious laugh will be sorely missed. A celebration of her life is to take place on Monday, May 14, 2018, the day after she would have turned 89. It will be held at 2:00 pm at the Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America or the University of Michigan.
