Ruth Thomas-Netting:
CLASS OF 1972
Barberton High SchoolClass of 1972
Barberton, OH
Ruth's Story
Okay, what can I say about what I have done since high school. Lots actually just like everyone else.
I went the The University of Akron where I met my husband to be Robert. We were married two years later in the historic church in Peninsula OH on Rte. 303 complete with a candle-lit candelabra and pump organ.
Then we settled down and went right back to school since it was between quarters. I ended taking art classes and writing classes and math classes. My husband never stopped going to college. He was still in classes when the two Melanoma brain tumors were found in his brain. We both had a thirst for always learning.
I worked for The American Cancer Society for a time. Though sad at times, I enjoyed working there. I had a wonderful boss who retired and was replaced by another wonderful boss. I left when they wanted me to head up the department that hired people to phone people and ask them to go door to door. I was more than a little uncomfortable for that.
I took up running when I was 30 and threw out the cigarettes I used to smoke. They only burned up in the ash tray when I did my art. With my husbands encouragement, I took up cycling too and eventually began to race. I began with running races to meet other runners and get over my shyness. Running and cycling did wonders for me.
Then, the day came when my brilliant husband started drooling out the left side of his mouth and lost sensation in his left hand. All the years at The American Cancer Society paid off and I was able to find a research protocol for him. He had Melanoma in his brain. The Akron Oncologist had the two tumors removed surgically and then I found Dr. Michael Lotze a Melanoma Researcher at the time. I learned so much about the brain and about the cells that take care of the immune system specifically the dendritic cells called the regulator of the immune system.
Sadly, my Robert died from this horrible cancer and my life was thrown into chaos. I moved far from NE Ohio and tried to begin a new life. I became a personal trainer (though that name wasn't around at the time and I sure didn't get the paycheck). I loved w...Expand for more
orking with people who never dreamed they could run or ride a bike or change their lifestyle into a healthy one.
But, I needed to come back this way. Newark OH was not so nice a city though it was near to Granville OH and home of Denison University where I met my first voice teacher Professor We Ching. At a friend at church's encouragement I auditioned for the concert choir which was students and adults. To my great joy, I was accepted. Though I had not sung with a choir since Jr. High, I found myself learning to sing Bach's Christmas Oratorio in German. Eghads! What had I gotten myself into? But the musical was so beautiful and to be part of singing something I never dreamed I would sing. We and I became friends sharing a drink after the concerts.
I branched out and joined the Denison Gospel Choir. It was so wonderful learning to sing songs and hymns the way the slaves in the fields learned. No written parts, just singing with different voices making up harmony as they went along. I had a blast!
Moving back to NE Ohio I quickly found another choir - A Chorus For A Cause under the direction of Christian Allison. We are based in North Canton and I find myself surrounded by wonderful singers that are also friends and I continue to learn to sing and pronounce and put emotion into everything I sing.
And, I used to train dogs for the obedience ring. I started with Border Collies my true loves with the exception of one handsome Cream-Colored Golden Retriever named Brandon. This was how I met my adoptive family and gain more nieces, more nephews and great nieces and one great nephew and another sister.
And, my athletic lifestyle continued even though Robert wasn't there to cheer me on and cook up pre and post meals for marathons and long bike races. Then my left knee went out and 5 vertebrae in my Lumbar Spine collapsed. I get injections in my back so I can walk and stand. And, my running and cycling has been replaced with power walking.
Still, Robert is in my heart encouraging me and cheering me on. I know he is at every concert along with my adoptive family.
I have truly had a lovely life!
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