Ruth Martin, who along with her husband Don generously supported the Missouri State University Libraries, as well as many other organizations and causes, passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at the age of 90.

She was born Ruth Doris Kallemeier in St. Louis on September 12, 1932. She attended Drury College, where she met her future husband, Don. Together they had four sons and were married 70 years. 

Ruth loved God, her family and friends, playing music, traveling in the U.S. and abroad, golfing and bowling, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Missouri State Bears basketball team. 

Through their Martin Family Foundation, Ruth and Don provided major cash gifts to the MSU Libraries that enabled the development of the much-used and much-loved “living room” on the Main Level of Duane G. Meyer Library, as well as a gift that allowed for the completion of the first phase of the Ozark Jubilee Digitization Project. 

Visitation will be Friday, January 20, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Private family service will be held. Interment will be in Rivermonte Memorial Gardens. 

Everyone at the MSU Libraries extends their condolences to Don and the Martin Family. Ruth was a lovely, warm, smart woman who will be missed.