U-M President-Emeritus Alexander G. Ruthven Dies

Dr. Alexander G. Ruthven, 88, president of the University of Michigan for 22 years until his retirement in 1951, was found dead in a chair in front of a television set at his home at 2900 Fuller Rd. early today by a neighbor. He was last seen alive by his caretaker about 10 p.m. Monday and apparently ■ 7 Hfi died late last night or early today of a heart attack. He was reported to have been in the same position when he was found dead at 8 a.m. today. A member of the Ann Arbor Trust Co. board of directors at the time of his death, the U-M president-emeritus was also a widely known biologist who had served as director of the U-M Museums and professor of zoology before being unanimously elected president on Oct. 4, 1929. U-M President Robben W. Fleming said in a statement today: "Alexander Grant Ruthven's presidency will long be remembered at the University of Michigan. "He held office for 22 years during which the University experienced great growth despite a depression, a world war and a great postwar surge in enrollment. "Despite the multitude of problems he faced during his administración, he left the presidency with a record of establishing a highly democratie administrar J tion within the University and a 1 deserved reputation of paying great 1 tention to human values. "Even after retirement, he continuecM to serve the University as a consultant I to the Development Council, and as 1 "dean of the alumni," he presided at ■ emeritus club meetings for many years. I All of us at the University feel a distinct ■ personal loss in his death." Born on April 1, 1882, in Huil, Ia., he was graduated from Morningside College Í in 1903 before coming to Ann Arbor to j enroll as a gradúate student at the U-M 1 where he received his doctor of 1 phy degree in 1906. I He then joined the U-M faculty as an I instructor in zoology, was promoted to 1 assistant professor in 1911, and to full 1 professor in that field in 1915. He was appointed chairman of the U-M zoology department and director of zoological laboratories in 1927. Dr. Ruthven served as director of the U-M Museum Zoology from 1913 until he was elected president in 1929. He also Iserved as dean of administration for a year prior to becoming head of the University. He had been awarded honorary doctorates by 15 universities and colleges, both U.S. and foreign. Dr. Huthven and Florence Hagle, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Peter Hagle of Ann Arbor, were married on Sept. 7, 1907. She preceded him in death. Survivors include a son, Bryant, a U.S. State Department official in PanaI ma Balboa, Panama; a daughter, Mrs. [ Lawrence (Katherine) Stuart in Guatamala! three grandchildren, Alexander G. Ruthven II, a U-M medical student; Rebecca Ruthven, a teacher in Atlanta, Ga.; and Mrs. Robert (Alexandra) von Zimmerman in Guatemala. He a Is o leaves a sister, Beatrice Ruthven of Ruthven, la. Arrangements by the Muehlig Funeral Chapel are incomplete. Cremation is planned. (A more detailed account of Dr. Ruthven's Ufe and accomplishments, w i t h I pictures, will appear in tomorrow's isIsues of The News). I --■ -■ ■ ■ -