On Tuesday, June 3rd, Dr. Ruth Noller, a true giant in the field of creativity, passed away in Sarasota, Florida surrounded by friends and family.
Ruth was an educator who taught math, creativity, and creative studies for 40 years. She started out as a mathematician who earned her B.A. from the University of Buffalo with a Major in Math and Minor in Sciences. She continued her education, receiving an Ed. M. in 1944 and an Ed. D from the School of Education at the University of Buffalo in 1952.
Ruth served in the US Naval Reserves during World War II. She was stationed at Harvard University where the first modern-aged computer had been put into operation. Mentored by Grace Hopper, the first woman computer programmer, Ruth became the second female programmer in history.
Ruth was a founding faculty member of the Interdisciplinary Center for Creative Studies (now The International Center for Studies in Creativity) at Buffalo State College. She was known internationally for her research, publications, and presentations on Creative Problem Solving. More importantly, she was a mentor to many who would later become leaders in the field in their own right.
We have set up this blog so that people can share comments in her honor...
21 comments:
Ruth Noller
Ruth was a wife, mother, friend, teacher, mentor, scientist, mathematician and co-founder of the Buffalo State University Creative Studies Program plus long time devoted Creative Education Foundation- Creative Problem Solving Institute Leader.
She passed away Tuesday, June 3rd in Sarasota, Florida.
Ruth was always one of my favorite creativity people, since I first showed up at CPSI in 1969. I was fortunate to be one of the last ones to have her as faculty when I did my MS Creative Studies in 1980-82.
In my opinion not enough people listened to her advice: "Don't be the sage on the stage, be the guide by the side."
My favorite Ruth Noller trivia. After many years, knowing she worked with Grace Hopper, one of the stalwarts of the IT revolution, I asked her about the famous story about the bug in the computer.
Many people in IT have heard the story about how in the early days before vacuum tubes computers were assemblies of electromechanical switches. Every shift test programs were run to make sure everything was working correctly. One night, the system kept generating errors until an operator examined the system and found a moth stuck in one switch. Removing it allowed the computer to operate correctly. Most are taught this is the origin of the term "bug" in the computer, although the term was used earlier by Edison and others in discussing their problems.
The last time I saw Ruth I asked if the story was true. She laughed her great laugh and said it sure was. She told of Grace finding the moth, coming out and saying "I guess I found the bug in the computer", and she placed it in the log book and told Ruth to get the tape and tape it down. They made a note to the effect that they had found the "bug" in this computer.
She was a major contributor to the development of so many people helping others to deliberately tap their creativity.
I definitely will miss her.
Chris Barlow, Ph.D.
long-time friend
student
fellow CPSI leader
For me Ruth was a brilliant and compassionate CPS pioneer who always will be remembered by use "older" CPS folk, and hopefully by younger ones as well.
Andy
I met Ruth at CPSI in 1978 when I was a first-timer. She immediately made me feel welcome. Then 6 months later my wife, Merry, and I enrolled in the CEF - CPSI-Springboard Program held in Ft. Lauderdale and Ruth was one of our teachers. 3 months later Merry, Jessica and I traveled to Trinidad to attend the first CPS program in Trinidad. Once again Ruth was my teacher. 6 months later she invited me to enter a leadership development program at CPSI in Buffalo.
From then on she went from being my teacher, my mentor to my friend and colleague.
Through her dedication and love she truly helped make the world more creative.
Ruth was one of the first CPSI leaders to provide valuable feedback on both what I presented but how it was delivered. With her experience, kindness and capacity for personal rapport you just had to listen to what she had to say. She will be missed.
Jack Wolf
Student of Ruth's wisdom
I met Ruth for the first time when I interviewed her for a series of tapes I did with CEF in 1996. I only knew Ruth by reputation, I had no idea of her real background. Well, we started the interview and right away I was surprised because of her involvement with Grace Hopper. I had no idea. As an IT person it suddenly dawned on me I was sitting talking with a historical figure in IT, let alone creativity.
She told me the story of how she got involved with CPSI and started working with Sid, her own education, why the business world was resistant, etc. we bounced all over the place -- and it was all quite inspiring.
Ruth was a delightful person, I'm happy I had the chance to really talk to her.
If you'd like to read the text of that interview, go to this link: http://www.greggfraley.com/Ruth%20Noller.htm
Gregg Fraley
Ruth was a giant on whose shoulders many of us stood to gaze further.
Briefly, for those who don't know Ruth, she was on faculty of at the
International Center of Studies in Creativity serving with Sid Parnes,
Ang Biondi, and John Moffat for many years. She was instrumental in
helping CPSI become the go-to place for learning about creativity
facilitation and leadership. She was a mentor, a coach, a friend, who
embodied the CPS process like no one could.
Ruth continued to teach and advise that a facilitator is a guide by
the side not a sage on the stage. She walked the talk and modeled it
for others. She touched many and her influence is great. Sadly, she
was a woman who's voice could not be so easily heard above the din of
her times.
Please join with me in giving a silent prayer of thanks for Ruth's
gifts that have helped shape the world of creativity and the planet.
She was my teacher.
with gratitude
Marci
I met Ruth when I was a work study student in the Creative Studies office in 1976. There just aren't that many people who I have known professionally for such a long time, and I'm honored to include Ruth among those. I began as a research assistant, became a student of hers in the Master's program, and then was welcomed as a colleague at CPSI. She led the way for many of us--thank you, Ruth.
Joanne Curran
Ruth was a friend with the greatest sparkling smile. She accomplished an amazing amount of creativity, while being a patient, happy girlfriend. Thanks for everything Ruth
Ruth was always given as the prime example of being a strong and quiet mentor for creativity.
Ruth did not know me, but had the kindness to respectfully decline my general call for masters project participants in October 2003. I was thrilled that she would care enough to send any note at all. From what I have heard, I should not be surprised.
Thank you Ruth
Dan MS 2004
I have not had the pleasure of meeting Ruth Noller in person. However, I had the priviledge of wearing the graduation gown that Ruth Noller donated to the International Centre for Studies in Creativity for outstanding international students. It was a surreal moment for me as I was wearing a precious piece of history.
In 2005 (the year I graduated), I decided to write to her. I was told that she was quite sickly then, but I felt I had to write to her to let her know about the status of her robe. To my surprise, she wrote back a few minutes later! I was truly impressed and touched that she took time to write to a total stranger, and that too, providing me with nuggets of her wisdom on the value of continual learning. She wrote back a couple more times, always full of encouragement and positive affirmation.
I decided to keep all her emails in a folder of my Gmail account, as her kind and powerful words are indeed very special to me. She will be sorely missed...
Suzanna Ramos
(Singapore)
I am suffering with many Brazilians who knew Ruth. She was a mentor to all of us by the joyful way she valued our imagination and inspired us
to go further. She was present in the first conference I organized for school psychologist in Brazil. I have in my book on creativity a phrase she mentioned in her presentation here:
" If you don't want to have surprises, you can walk with the crowd. They will take you to pathways that are secure since they always go there. However, if you want to be creative, you have to walk by yourself, to pathways never discovered. But when you get there you will be free, because you will be
self-actualized"
There words represent to me what the great woman, teacher and mentor that Ruth Noller was for all of us who had the chance to meet her.
Best wishes
Solange Wechsler
As I look back on my 40 years of working with Ruth, in this day of interest in women's contributions that Ruth was the first woman co-diector of the Creative Problem Solving Institute.
She was my counterpart in working through all programs. I am pround to point out that I had a co-leader in the myriad of programs that CEF conduced around the world. I would quip that I had an amazing department of TWO that accomplished all the challenging work of the Creative Studies Department at Buffalo State College.
My sympathies to all her family.
Sidney and Beatrice Parnes
Ruth was the quintessential gentle woman. Hearing the news brought back many warm memories of her, whether we were at Buf State that year or at UB. Her graciousness was matched by the down-to-earth substance in her sessions.
We owe her much!
K.T. Connor
Ruth was a real inspiration to all kind of people .
My first time at CPSI was about ¨Making a World of difference ¨ .
Ruth really did it,trhough all her life,without effort and in a very humble and simple way.
Vera Tindo
Brazil
A quiet voice and guide by the by the side, Inspiring the music of others through the space between notes, C=a(K,I,E) knowing the "a" makes all the difference towards eliminating the "bugs" in our own machines. Thank you Ruth.
I am proud and honored to be educated under her legacy...Thsnks for being a pioneer and for setting the example of living a creative life.
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Russell A. Wheeler
Atlanta, Georgia
The work of Ruth Noller has inspired many in the field of creativity. I am forever grateful for her efforts along with Sid Parnes to establish the Creative Studies program at Buffalo State College. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Russell A. Wheeler
Atlanta, Georgia
Buffalo State College '98, '01
Ruth was a wonderful intelligent and warm personality, and at times a calming influence at the Creative Studies Program and CIPSI (where calm was not always the first term to get applied).
And what better evidence for the meaure of a person that the company they keep? I still have my well-thumbed edition of Parnes Noller and Biondi (1977).
Ruth will be greatly missed by friends and students of her work around the world.
It is really hard to say goodbye to an old friend, teacher, and beautiful soul like Ruth. Seeing the wonderful picture of Ruth in the obit in the Sarasota paper brought back the memories of Ruth when she was robust and full of humor, gently challenging, and always loving. As one of the early MS Creative Studies graduates, I remember her leading a Creative Analysis summer course that met at my house, locating it there so that I wouldn't have to get a sitter for my daughter. She was always empathetic. Her teaching was more like a conversation. She had a way of posing questions that made you think, teasing out the answers bit by bit, and bringing you to a point of discovery.
Later, visiting her and Dave in Buffalo, Cassadaga, and Sarasota, I remember the many lovely, relaxed picnics and dinners amidst the hundreds of bells, and photos of visits that she and Dave had made to locations that seemed at the time worlds away. Then there were the lunch trips to the Best Chinese Buffet to see if they really were that.
She taught that all of us have unique talents with something special to bring to the world, but these words apply most profoundly to Ruth herself. Such diverse achievements almost hidden within this quietly humble woman. We miss you now; we'll miss you always.
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