In Memoriam - Ruth Ericson Byrholdt

January 24, 1922 – March 20, 2007

It is with real sadness that we share the news of the death of our friend and former staff member, Ruth Ericson Byrholdt. Ruth died on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at Island Hospital near her home in Anacortes, Washington.

Ruth was born to John Alberta and Hedvig Charlotte Ericson in Ferintosh, Alberta near Wetaskiwin. She attended high school in Wetaskiwin and Business College in Lethbridge, Alberta. In March 1943 Ruth joined the War Effort in Ottawa working first for the Canadian Department of National Defense and then as secretary to the President of the Railroad Clerks Union. In the early 1950’s Ruth moved to Toronto to work for Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship as secretary to the Director and Board of Governors.

In 1970 she returned to her beloved west to work for the fledging Regent College. As Associate Registrar Ruth played a significant part in the establishment and growth from its first four graduate students to over 3500 graduates and 15,000 former students from every part of the globe. This job proved to be an all encompassing life vocation for Ruth. She made many friends of the students and upon her retirement in 1989 she visited some of them in Europe and Southeast Asia. At her retirement she was honoured at that year’s graduation ceremony for her long service and dedication to the College and its students. She continued to serve part time in the recruitment and transition of international students to Regent. She was again honoured on the occasion of her 80th birthday in 2002 with a celebration at Regent College and the establishment of the Ruth Ericson Byrholdt IFES International Student Scholarship, which is awarded annually to qualified Regent students.

In 1991 Ruth married Gordon Byrholdt and moved to Anacortes, Washington. Here she was active in the Westminster Presbyterian Church and the women’s Crones group. Ruth enjoyed boating in the San Juans and Gulf Islands with Gordon, as well as traveling to international destinations.

Ruth is survived by her loving husband Gordon, a brother Arthur and his wife Gwen, in Wetaskiwin, AB; sister-in-law, Vera Chambers, nieces and nephews, as well as her many friends to whose lives she was an invaluable asset.

Memorial services are being planned:

In Anacortes, WA: Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Phone: 360-293-3880. Address: 1300 9th St, Anacortes, Washington. For directions go to Google Maps.
In Vancouver, BC: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at Granville Chapel, 5901 Granville St., Vancouver. Service to begin at 10:00 am, followed by a reception. For directions go to Google Maps.

Cards or notes may be sent to:
Mr. Gordon Byrholdt
PO Box 1058, Anacortes, WA 98221 USA

Ruth’s ashes will be interred with her family in Highland Park Cemetery near Wetaskiwin, AB.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Ruth Ericson Byrholdt IFES International Scholarship Fund, Regent College. E-mail Richard Thompson at Regent College for details or call 1-800-663-8664 (North America only. Call 604-224-3245 in Greater Vancouver or worldwide).

For more information please contact:
Sharon Forsyth, Regent College, 604-224-3245 ext 350.