Obituary of Ruth Balthaser

Ruth Torrence Balthaser, born in 1912 in State College and one of the longest living graduates of Penn State, died Monday at the Inn at Brookline Village. She would have turned 100 on August 13. Daughter of the late Frank M. Torrence (PSU 1905) and Jean L. Torrence, Ruth grew up on East Foster Avenue and received her Bachelor's degree from PSU in 1934 as a mathematics major. Her father was an engineering professor at the college. Ruth was married for 55 years to classmate Harry H. Balthaser (PSU 1934), from Harrisburg, who was a lieutenant in the Navy during World War II and who died in State College in 1991. Ruth is survived by her four children, Ruth Bloking of Windsor, CT, Steven Balthaser (and wife Susan Balthaser) of Lexington, MA, Gretchen Vanek (and husband David Vanek) of Pocatello, ID, and Melissa Culverwell of Los Angeles. She also leaves seven grandchildren: Christine Elbrecht, Dan Caramazza, Ross Culverwell, Reid Balthaser, Jonathan Balthaser, Matthew Vanek, and Lilly Vanek; and two great-grandchildren, Alma and Lucas Culverwell. Her sister Barbara Torrence Nelson (PSU 1942) resides in Pacific Grove, CA. Another sister, Jean Knoll, and a brother, Joseph Torrence, died previously. Ruth graduated Hannah More Academy in 1930 and attended Hood College. After husband Harry's retirement from Monsanto, Ruth and Harry were proprietors of Lotus China, West Springfield, MA, for a decade before moving to Toftrees in State College. With Harry and as a widow, Ruth was an avid PSU sports fan and a supporter of the Bryce Jordan Center. She continued to attend Penn State Alumni Association events into her late 90s. Ruth was a devoted participant in the annual Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's and the American Cancer Association's Relay for Life. During her years at Brookline she knitted more than 1,400 caps for newborns at Mount Nittany Medical Center and for Brookline staff. She also served as librarian at Brookline, and only in her last year of life did she stop leading exercise classes there. There will be no funeral or visitation hours. Ruth will be interned at Centre County Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.