Ruth McCutcheon

We are sad to tell you that our friend and colleague, Ruth McCutcheon, the Director of Development for the Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory, passed away on July 29, 2019, after a courageous battle with cancer. We offer our deepest condolences to her children Grace and Henry, and to her parents Jim and Martha McCutcheon. Ruth was a leader in our efforts to connect with public and philanthropic contributors supporting the Department and Steward Observatory.  Her ability to build positive relationships between individuals and communities will be greatly missed by all of us.

Ruth, with the help of her family and friends, recently created the Ruth McCutcheon Steward Observatory Postdoctoral Fellows Research Endowment to help support the research of our Steward Observatory Prize Postdoctoral Fellows and postdoctoral researchers of Steward Observatory in general. Our academic community is brightened and strengthened by the presence and activities of our Fellows.  We are grateful  that Ruth recognized their key contributions and singled them out for her support. Please consider making a donation, in Ruth's honor, to this endowment.

HERE is a photo of Ruth in front of the oven at the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab at the University of Arizona. HERE is a photo of Ruth doing what she loved best, communicating with people.

Yours most sincerely,

Buell Jannuzi

Head, Department of Astronomy

Director, Steward Observatory

(the eclipse photo of Ruth was taken by Alan Strauss, the other two linked photos by Cathi Duncan, and the front-page photo by Frank Gacon)

• Checks should be made payable to "University of Arizona Foundation", with a note on the memo/subject line of, for McCutcheon endowment/Department of Astronomy
• Mail to: University of Arizona Foundation, 1111 N. Cherry Avenue.P.O. Box 210109, Tucson, AZ 85721-0109

For more information: Contact Cathi Duncan, Development Manager, cduncanf@arizona.edu or 520-621-1320