Thomas Scott Ruh, Ph.D.: 1937-2016
Thomas Scott Ruh, Ph.D., professor emeritus of physiology and pharmacology, died Sept. 16 at his home in St. Louis. He was 79 years old.
Ruh was born Sept. 7, 1937, in Spokane, Washington. He earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Gonzaga University and went on to Marquette University, where he completed both his master’s degree and his doctorate. Marquette is also where he met his wife Mary Ruh, Ph.D., a retired physiology professor who conducted research with her husband.
After a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Illinois in Urbana, Ruh moved to St. Louis and went to work at Washington University. Eventually he left to become a faculty member at SLU, where he spent the next 30 years of his career until his retirement.
During his tenure at SLU, Ruh earned an international reputation as a scientist who pioneered research that impacted cancer treatments. His research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, and he published articles and papers extensively.
Andrew Lechner, Ph.D., spoke of Ruh’s notable accomplishments and significant career in the fields of pharmacology and physiology that led to groundbreaking discoveries in women’s reproductive medicines and cancer treatments.
“Tom was a world leader in the field of reproductive endocrinology,” he said. “With his wife Mary F. Ruh, he played a critical role in determining the role of estrogens and anti-estrogens in cell signaling, the binding of endogenous steroids and their nuclear receptors, and ultimately some of today's most utilized cancer chemotherapeutics.”
Lechner not only praised Ruh as a scientist, but as a person who loved being outdoors and sharing time with other members of his department, as well as his family and friends.
“Tom was an affable colleague, a clever wit, well-read, and a wonderful man with a larger than life personality who loved a good story," he said. “He was also an outdoorsman who never forgot his roots in the Pacific Northwest.”
Ruh is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary; two daughters and their spouses: Cynthia Cazenavette (George) and Natalie Hoemschemeyer (Kenneth), as well as seven grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was held Sept. 20 at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church in Des Peres, Missouri, and burial was in Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities, 4445 Lindell Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63108.