Dorothy Maud Ruhl

Dorothy Maud Ruhl was born June 26, 1940, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania,

the daughter and only child of Joanna Esther (Hogg) Ruhl and Harry Francis Ruhl, Jr.

Dorothy grew up with her parents in Manheim (Lancaster County), Pennsylvania.

She graduated, a member of the National Honor Society, on June 5, 1958, 

from Manheim Central High School.

She studied at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where she was a member

of the Concert Chorale and of Delta Phi Alpha, a national honor society of students

in advanced German courses. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree

in psychology on June 9, 1962. She followed her undergraduate degree with

graduate studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, 1962-1965,

then taught as an Instructor in psychology in Rochester, New York, at 

Roberts Wesleyan College,1966-1968, and St. John Fisher College,1968-1970.

Dorothy graduated with a Master’s Degree in Divinity in 1975 from Bexley Hall 

Theological Seminary in Rochester.

She moved in 1975 to Austin, Texas, where she served 1975-1976 as Chaplain

at the Austin State Hospital.

Dorothy later completed studies, 1999-2002, at the FIND School for Spiritual

Direction and Formation of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. She was a devoted member

of Saint David’s Episcopal Church and Saint James Episcopal Church in Austin.

Dorothy was also a member and longtime financial supporter of a great many

charitable and activist organizations, including the Manheim Historical Society, 

Historical Manheim Preservation Foundation, KMFA-FM Austin classical radio station,

Democratic Party, Texas Freedom Network, Human Rights Campaign, Common Cause,

People for the American Way, Southern Poverty Law Center, Sisters of Saint Helena,

Wycliffe Foundation, and many organizations for the conservation of natural resources,

oceans, wilderness areas, and wild animals.

Dorothy died on April 23, 2024, in Austin and her body is to buried next to her 

parents’ graves in Manheim Fairview Cemetery in her home town of Manheim, Pennsylvania.