Robert H. Babe Ruth
“The Man, The Myth, The Legend”
Out of no fault of his own, R.H. “Babe” Ruth passed away five weeks before his 102nd birthday. This can hardly be described as a failure. After all, his life was a triumph of free will and personality, an example of what can be accomplished when you truly believe in yourself. No one who encountered him could forget the man with the piercing blue eyes and enduring charm. He always kept poems, anecdotes and jokes close at hand, and his witty stories were often followed by a wink. He was, in a word, unique.
As befits a man of unapologetic longevity, Babe lived a variety of different lives. He spent many years traveling across the country as a salesman/baseball player, visiting all 50 states and making lifelong friends in the process. He called many places home. After leaving his native Missouri as a teenager, Babe migrated west, working his way through the Rocky Mountain region before eventually retiring in Port Angeles, WA, where he could fish and befriend raccoons in the quiet of his backyard.
Babe personified the American spirit. He was an avid baseball fan and fishing fanatic, a railroad man and deputy sheriff, a wizard with dice and cards and a natural when it came to making money. At one point he owned and operated three different clubs: The Rainbow Club in Gooding, ID, The Silver Club in Eureka, UT and The B&J Club in Milford, UT. His time spent in Milford earned him an enduring legacy, and to this day his name is remembered by his generosity and kindness to the community.
Like many men of his generation, he was a proud member of multiple fraternal lodges, including the Elks, the Masons and the Eagles. In 1960, he was elected Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a position he served with honor. His devotion to these organizations is a testament to his belief in friendship, love and truth.
Babe was preceded in death by his sons Robert and Michael Ruth, as well as his sweethearts, Meriam Steele, Hazel Hillman and Lucille Ward. He is survived by his daughter Robin [Robert] Harden, fourteen grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, 16 great-great-grandchildren and an immeasurable number of friends.
A celebration of his life will be held on Monday June 8th from 6-8 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 S 900 E, Salt Lake City, UT.