Bobbie Ruschman Obituary

Bobbie (Grier) Ruschman 1921 2013. Born in 1921 and raised and educated in Atlanta, GA, Bobbie was a pioneer of women in aviation.Working for Eastern Airlines, and then CEO (WWII fighter pilot Ace) Eddie Rickenbacker, she was Eastern's Head Stewardess.It was on a check-ride on an Eastern DC-3 that she met Gordon, "Moe" Ruschman, whom she married in 1951. Bobbie and Moe traveled the US and world together, seeing first hand in South America and South Asia, the needs of those less fortunate than they, which in-turn guided them to lives of service to others. Among their accomplishments was the establishment of the DuPage Council for Child Development and the first non-profit Day-Care Center in the county. They were also advocates for St. Leonard's House in Chicago (a half-way house for parolees re-entering society), and the College of DuPage Adult Institute. Bobbie was a philanthropist and passionate about women's causes, children, and the arts.In her later years, as her beloved grandchildren joined her family through adoption, Bobbie became a strong advocate for societal support for older children without parents.On her 90th birthday she was recognized as a Sustaining Donor of Kidsave, an organization that introduces families and mentors to older foster children in the USA and orphans from overseas.Bobbie's compassion and generosity helped many children and teenagers who were otherwise forgotten find permanent families. Bobbie and Moe raised two sons, Don and Mark, in Glen Ellyn andin later years made their home in Wheaton, where they were surrounded by loving friends and neighbors.Moe preceded Bobbie in death in 2002, as did her only sister, Frances Crockett in 2006.She is survived by her sons, as well as five grandchildren two great-grandchildren and two nieces, Diane and Rebekah, and nephew, Fetzer. The family would like to thank Joan Signa and the Rainbow Hospice for their kind and loving care of Bobbie in her final years and days, during which she celebrated her 90th birthday surrounded by friends and family. It was a living tribute to her life.Her family will memorialize her privately, as was her wish. Contributions in Bobbie's name can be made atwww.kidsave.orgor mailed to Kidsave International, P.O. Box 39293, Los Angeles, CA 90039-0293.