News
Oldest Roberts Alumna, Ruth Pappas, Dies at 105
Roberts Wesleyan University’s oldest alumna has passed away. Ruth Morton Pappas, 105, was a resident of Sun City, A.Z., and died on August 23, 2023. She was a member of the class of 1940 and graduated with a Business degree.
Ruth is survived by her son David Pappas, also of Sun City West. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Christos Pappas, in 2015. Ruth was raised in Albion in upstate New York. Her brother was Nelson Morton, a Former Trustee and Heritage Society Member. Nelson Morton Drive on the north campus was named after him. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, who are Roberts Alumni, Ardis Simpson Tucker ‘63, Raymond Morton ‘52, and Mary Lou Morton Bates ‘59. Her nephew Fred Morton and his wife Ginny are Heritage Society members and friends of Roberts.
A few years ago, Ruth reflected on her memories of Roberts including fun times with her roommate, working in the laundry to help pay for school, wonderful friends, and living in Carpenter Hall. She also shared that President Paul Adams would often play the piano so everyone could sing together. Read the story.
On behalf of the Roberts community, our deepest condolences to Ruth’s loved ones. She remained a connected and loyal alumna throughout her long life. Services for Ruth were on September 10 at Willowbrook United Methodist Church in Sun City, AZ.