In Memoriam

Ruth Johnson Colvin ’39, Syracuse, N.Y., Aug. 18, 2024, at age 107. Colvin founded Literacy Volunteers of America, now an international organization. After the 1960 census, Colvin discovered that more than 11,000 of her neighbors in the Syracuse area could not read or write. Despite having no prior teaching experience, she took action. After consulting with reading specialists and service agencies, she opened an office in her basement, where she and other volunteer tutors taught English. The group became a nonprofit in 1967 with 77 tutors and 100 students. Over the following decades, Literacy Volunteers of America expanded across the U.S. and garnered national recognition. In 2002 the nonprofit merged with Laubach Literacy International to become ProLiteracy, an organization that now boasts 100,000 tutors in 42 states and 60 countries. Colvin remained a teacher and administrator for 60 years, wrote several books and received many accolades for her work, including the President’s Volunteer Action Award in 1987 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993. Colvin is survived by her children, Terrence and Linda; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.  

Photo Credit: WENN Rights Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo 

Alan R. Tripp ’37, Bryn Mawr, Pa., Dec. 24, 2020, at age 103. An author, broadcaster and reporter, advertising executive and songwriter, Tripp remained active throughout his life. A U.S. Army veteran, Tripp graduated from Northwestern with an undergraduate degree in business. He went on to contribute to famous ad campaigns for Good & Plenty candy and Frank’s Beverages. In 1946 he became president of the ad agency Bauer, Tripp, Foley and, two decades later, served as president and CEO of Product Resources International. Between 1992 and 2015 he published four books, and in 2019, at the age of 102, he released Senior Song Book, a collection of eight songs that went viral on YouTube. Tripp is survived by his son, Jeffrey, three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Photo: Lisa Schaeffer Photography

Margaret “Mickey” Gerber ’39, ’44 MD, Evanston, Sept. 23, age 103. An ophthalmologist, Gerber was among the first women in that specialty. She was one of only four women in her class at the Feinberg School of Medicine. Gerber received a four-year, full-tuition grant from the Kellogg Foundation and graduated at the top of her class. She opened a private practice in Evanston, served as a member of the surgical staff of Evanston Hospital and was the ophthalmologist for Northwestern University Student Health Services. She retired at age 66. Gerber self-published her memoir, My First 100 Years, at age 99. She is survived by her nephews, David, Bill and Stephen; and her niece, Julia.