[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 108 (Monday, July 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1468-E1469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING RUTH QUACKENBUSH DODGE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 30, 2001

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the passing of 
an Ohioan and American of note. Ruth Quackenbush Dodge died of heart 
failure earlier this year at her Maumee River Estate in Wood County's 
Middleton Township. Mrs. Dodge was 90 years old.
  Ruth Quackenbush Dodge was born into one of New York State's founding 
Dutch dynasties, and spent her childhood in New York City, Vermont and 
Connecticut, where she was graduated from Miss Porter's school in 
Farmington. After then attending classes at the New York School of 
Social Work, Ruth joined the Junior League of New York City at age 18, 
thus beginning her long history of volunteerism.
  A few years later, Miss Quackenbush met Henry Martin Dodge of Toledo. 
They were married shortly thereafter, and made their home at Elmbrook 
Farm in Perrysburg, making the new Mrs. Dodge, at age 22, the first 
member of her family to reside west of the Hudson River. In her new 
home, Mrs. Dodge continued her volunteer work, transferring to the 
Junior League of Toledo--for which she served as president from 1936 to 
1938-- and organizing, in 1948, the Volunteer Bureau of the Toledo 
Council of Social Agencies. This organization was the forerunner of 
today's Volunteer Action Center of the United Way of Greater Toledo, 
which dedicated the Ruth Q. Dodge Volunteer Garden on the grounds of 
One Stranahan Square in 1994. It was my honor at that time as well to 
praise Mrs. Dodge's accomplishments before this body.
  Mrs. Dodge also pursued her passion for the environment, raising milk 
cows and soybeans in an environmentally responsible manner before the 
issue became mainstream, and helped further the exploration of Maumee 
River Valley history by opening her property for several archeological 
digs undertaken by the University of Toledo. A strong supporter of both 
the education and the arts, especially the Toledo Opera Association and 
the Toledo Museum of Art, Mrs. Dodge sat on the board of trustees of 
Miss Porter's school and served as president of the Country Garden Club 
from 1945 to 1946.
  These few words cannot truly do justice to the outstanding life of 
this woman who was so dedicated to the ideals of civic service and

[[Page E1469]]

volunteerism. Remembered by her friend Mr. Lewis Heldt for ``all of her 
accomplishments over her long, active lifetime,'' as well as for her 
efforts in her role as Honorary Chairperson for the last Fallen Timbers 
Battlefield fund drive, Ruth Quackenbush Dodge and her good works will 
truly be missed. We extend to her son David, her five grandchildren, 
and her six great-grandchildren our deepest condolences. At the same 
time, we celebrate her remarkable accomplishments and honor her memory 
by trying to live by her exemplary pioneering and socially responsible 
spirit.

                          ____________________