In Memory of Ruth DeYoung Kohler

Ruth DeYoung Kohler

October 24, 1941 – November 14, 2020

Ruth was a camper from 1950 through 1953. She was a faithful supporter of Clearwater’s Arts programming over many years. Her contributions to arts across Wisconsin and the U.S. are numerous. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in art and art history at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, and pursuing further studies at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Hamburg, Ruth traveled abroad working in the arts. She returned to the states to serve as the John Michael Kohler Arts Center’s Assistant Director from 1968–1972 and then as Director from 1972–2016. In 2016, Ruth stepped away from the directorship to concentrate on making the Art Preserve a reality and in 2021, Ruth’s vision of a center devoted to artist-built environments welcomed its first visitors. Ruth also served on the Kohler Foundation, Inc., board from 1969-2019 and as the Foundation’s President from 1999-2006. She was also a major shareholder in privately held Kohler Co., headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin. 

Ruth’s full obituary can be found at: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicagotribune/name/ruth-kohler-obituary?id=3352456

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Those Who Have Taken Their Last Portage: Clearwater Camp works to remember and honor those alumnae who have passed away. We learn about alumnae through the Clearwater network of family and friends, who may let us know or make gifts in their memories. For these tributes, we use materials including their published obituaries and other remembrances from family and friends. Please contact Clearwater if there is an alumna you would like remembered by the camp community.