Ruth Cooper Robson

Ruth Cooper Robson passed away peacefully amidst the loving support of family and caregivers at Academy Villas in Tucson, Arizona on July 23, 2024. Her strong heart, spirit and especially her steadfast faith carried her through 96 years of adventures, challenges and achievements. Through her daily actions she practiced what she preached: “love one another”. Ruth Elaine Kemper began her Earthly journey in the hills of Appalachia, born on December 22, 1927, in Morgantown, West Virginia, the second daughter of Willis and Mary Kemper. She attended St. Annes School in Charlottesville Virginia, a place whose mission was to prepare students to become “strong in body, broad of mind, tender of heart, responsive in soul.” Those attributes certainly developed early on in Ruth, as she embraced athletics, education, deep friendships and compassion for others. She received her nursing degree from Cornell in 1950. It was in New York City that she met her first husband William G. Cooper, later moving to Denver, Colorado to begin a life-long career in nursing. Most of her working years were spent as a Labor and Delivery nurse where she cherished the joy of helping to bring new life into the world. It was in the Mile-High City that she raised her 4 children, Tom, Doug, Dan and Pam. Even as a full-time working, divorced single mom, she also was an avid tennis player, hiker (especially Rocky Mountain trails), Broncos and Rockies fan, as well as an accomplished pianist. Later in life, Ruth married Donald Robson, a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force whose career assignments took them to South Carolina and later Brussels Belgium. They both loved to travel, and together they explored Europe and beyond. She especially enjoyed taking cruises and tours that led her to experience the cuisines and cultures of the world. Ruth and Don spent their retirement years in Tucson Arizona and Breckenridge Colorado where they continued to enjoy their shared love of music. They regularly attended symphonies and operas, travelling every season to Sante Fe, New Mexico and Central City, Colorado to attend performances in those special opera venues. She was a lifetime supporter of the NY Metropolitan Opera and never missed a radio broadcast of the Met. In Tucson, Ruth was quite active in the Tucson Symphony Guild and supported activities directed towards bringing instruments and music lessons to disadvantaged youth in Tucson. Ruth leaves behind two sons, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.