Ruth Helen Freed

With dignity and grace, Ruth Helen Freed passed away peacefully at home July 1, 2016. She was born to Theresa H (Myers) Anderson and H Alfred Anderson October 23, 1916, in Long Beach. Theresa hailed from Indiana, while Alfred sailed in from Odense, Denmark. Like many others, she and her family struggled during the Great Depression. By working many part-time jobs, she graduated with aBA from UCLA in 1938, and then an MS from USC. In 1939, with jobs very scarce, she was thrilled to be offered an English teaching position at KCUHS. In 1942, she married Bakersfield College professor Paul Freed, a loving marriage that lasted 60+ years. In subsequent years, while raising three children all of whom became dentists, Ruth happily taught for many more years at both East and Highland High School. At home, Ruth also privately tutored countless students to read.In addition to professional and family responsibilities, Ruth was actively involved with the establishment of the Guild House, and a lifetime member of AAUW, including both the book section and the morning gourmet group. With an engaging personality and quick wit, she and Paul were socially very active. Vacation time though, was usually reserved for travel. As a life long student of Elizabethan history, Ruth loved to spend endless hours at the British Museum, in London. By the same token, she equally relished exploring the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland, visiting friends in the Scottish Highlands, cruising the Nile, going on safari in Africa, climbing Machu Picchu, going salmon fishing in British Columbia, or trekking around Yosemite and Sequoia. There was always another exciting trip in the planning.Preceding her in passing were her husband Paul and oldest son David. Surviving family include brother Roy Anderson, son Thomas, daughter Helen Kathleen Freed, grandchildren Christian and Justin Gapper, and David Freed. A special note of gratitude is to be extended to Ruth's extraordinary caregivers, including LaDonna Bell, Maria Ornaz, Linda Slaughter, Lone Aranda, and Amy Perez all of whom became family. The family is also greatly indebted to Hoffmann Hospice, and especially Lauri Langwell, for their timely and compassionate care. Private family services to honor Ruth's rich life were concluded at Hillcrest.