{"id":60043,"date":"2024-07-01T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/?p=60043"},"modified":"2024-07-02T15:52:46","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T19:52:46","slug":"utc-mourns-passing-of-former-utc-first-lady-ruth-obear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/2024\/07\/utc-mourns-passing-of-former-utc-first-lady-ruth-obear\/","title":{"rendered":"UTC mourns passing of former UTC First Lady Ruth Obear"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Ruth

Ruth Obear and Dr. Frederick Obear at the 2016 State of the University.<\/p><\/div>\n

Ruth Sandra Crowley Obear, former first lady of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, died Thursday, June 27, at the age of 89.<\/p>\n

Born August 20, 1934, Ms. Obear was the eldest daughter of Adelaide Hamilton Lennox Crowley and John Cornelius Crowley of Somerville, Massachusetts. Described as a bright, energetic, and inquisitive child, she excelled in school and became her Chelmsford High School\u2019s drum majorette.<\/p>\n

With a deep appreciation for art and travel, she relocated to Cape Town, South Africa, in 1976 where she acquired an extraordinary collection of African art and curios displayed throughout her home. In 1978, she moved to London, England, where she continued to explore the art and culture of Europe. During those years, she traveled globally and continued to collect artifacts from rare places.<\/p>\n

A woman of many talents, Ms. Obear taught herself to play the piano, paint and draw, and she had a beautiful voice. She was a well-recognized and respected interior designer with Bayless and Stickley Furniture in Rochester, New York. Overseas, she operated as a travel agent, gymnastics official and an antique dealer. She was a very competitive and competent golfer and tennis player.<\/p>\n

She was described as \u201ca loyal and generous friend who had the admirable ability to stay in touch with people over the course of many decades.\u201d<\/p>\n

She married Dr. Frederick Obear in 1998 and moved to Signal Mountain. In 2005, Dr. Obear resumed the role of chancellor of UTC, and Ms. Obear became the University\u2019s First Lady. Along with Fred, Ruth, who was passionate about sports, became the biggest fan of the UTC Mocs and the Tennessee Volunteers. She developed deep and meaningful friendships during her years in the Chattanooga area and became recognized for her leadership on several boards and charitable projects, it was stated. These included the Chambliss Center for Children and the T.C. Thompson Children\u2019s Hospital Foundation.<\/p>\n

In 2000, the Obears served as chairpersons of the CSOA Main fundraisers. Their commitment to service was acknowledged with recognitions such as<\/p>\n