Obituary of Ruth Helene Peach

Ruth Peach, Tacoma, WA, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2010 at the Madigan Army Hospital. She was born July 10, 1936 in Schwabisch Gmuend, Germany. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Ken Peach; their son Michael C. Peach, daughter Susanne M. Peach (son-in-law John Mortellaro) of Colorado, and youngest daughter Heidi Martha Peach of Florida. Ruth first came to the US in 1963 to Fort Rucker, Alabama with Ken for their first assignment together. There she produced Heidi Martha Peach. Ken got orders for a singles tour in Korea so Ruth, by herself, with no help from the military went back to Germany with the three children; Heidi-six months old, Susanne-4 years and Michael 5- years old. One year later Ken arrived home in Germany to be assigned there with his family. The family traveled all over Europe together during the 26 years Ken was in the US Army. The best part was the assignment at the American Embassy in Bonn, Germany for eight years where Ruth entertained officially and unofficially and was very successful. She was an excellent cook and everyone wanted seconds of her recipes, some German and some American. She was in Florida celebrating her 50th Wedding Anniversary with her husband when she got sick, went to the hospital and was diagnosed with cancer. She wanted to come home to Washington to be treated at Madigan. Ken and Ruth enjoyed 25 years of cooking and judging at Pacific Northwest BBQ events and the Puget Pod, Chili Appreciation Society International chili events. She was secretary of the Puget Pod for many years. She also helped Ken teach chili cooking classes at companies, high schools and in private lessons. She traveled to the International chili competition in Terlingua, Texas and excelled by placing in the finals group against 320 other teams from all over the world. She made many friends at these events and although she only saw some of these cooks from other states once or twice a year she always recognized them. She was an excellent cook and won many awards at these events. She was an equally excellent mother, wife and friend of everyone she met. One of her friends said it best: She never met a stranger. At her request there will be no memorial nor funeral services for her. She will be cremated and interned at the Tahoma Memorial Cemetery. We ask that you do something kind for someone else just as our beloved Ruth always did.