Ruth Locher Dies In Hospital

Miss Ruth A. Locher, associate director of social service at University Hospital, died there last night after a short illness.

A specialist in medical social work, Miss Locher joined the University Hospital staff in 1951. She was appointed an assistant professor in the U-M School of Social Work in 1957.

Washtenaw county chairman for the National Foundation, Miss Locher long was interested in polio treatment and was active for many years in March of Dimes fund-raising campaigns. She administered grants for treatment of polio cases from the National Foundation, and was the first social worker ever invited to address the International Congress on Poliomyelitis when in 1957 she spoke on the rehabilitation of polio patients at Geneva, Switzerland.

Miss Locher taught a course in physical therapy at the hospital and had been teaching a section in pediatrics.

She was a deacon in the First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor, where memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday with the Rev. Henry Kuizenga officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Foundation. Cremation has been made. Arrangements were made by the Muehlig Chapel.

Miss Locher, who lived at 812 Hutchins Ave., is survived by a sister and brother, Mrs. Dwain Murray of Ashland, O. and Oliver G. Locher, Lake Worth, Fla. Also surviving are five nieces and nephews.

She was born in Bluffton, O., daughter of Hiram and Augusta Green Locher. She was graduated from Bluffton College in 1927 and received graduate degrees at Ohio State University (1928) and Western Reserve University (1942).

She taught high school English briefly at Piketon, O., then was instructor in English and journalism at Bluffton College, 1933-34. She was research assistant in the department of anatomy at Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 1936-40, a social worker and juvenile court consultant with the Cleveland Family Service Association from 1942 until 1951 when she joined the U-M staff.