Trails advocate Ruth Ittner: 1918-2010
Ruth Ittner, a 56-year member of The Mountaineers who dedicated most of her life to trails, died Thursday, June 3, at the age of 92. Memorial services will be held Sunday, June 27, at 2 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church in downtown Seattle.
Two years ago, King County declared her birthday, Jan. 12, as Ruth
Ittner Day in honor of her acuity for forging partnerships with government agencies for the betterment of trails. She was known by all connected to The Mountaineers community as someone who got things done on a large scale.
Her career as a research consultant for the University of Washington benefitted her knowledge of land-management agencies. She volunteered countless hours to help state agencies draft plans and trail revisions from the ground level. Her research on creation of the state’s Sno-Park trails in the mid-1970s was emblematic of her ability to connect agencies and user groups such as The Mountaineers.
Born in England to parents who loved the outdoors, Ruth spent much of her last three decades of life developing the Iron Goat Trail, part of the Stevens Pass Historic District and a project most dear to her heart. Watch for more about Ittner’s life and contributions in the July issue of The Mountaineer.
Mountaineerspacnw's Blog 