Ruth Joseph Wisnom

In 1951, Ruth attended Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. While serving as the Secretary of the Freshman Class, she met the future love of her life, David Wisnom Jr., the Freshman class president. She majored in speech therapy, participated in multiple honorary societies and served as the President of the Chi Omega sorority. After her Sophomore year, she transferred to the University of Oregon to focus on her major.

Shortly after graduation in 1955, Ruth and David were married, and David was drafted into the US Army. After training, he shipped out to Taipei, Taiwan (then Formosa). Ruth joined him in married personnel housing six months later. David served as the dean of boys at Taipei American School, while Ruth was a speech and reading consultant who taught English. While living in Taiwan, Ruth and Dave would fly to Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Okinawa on weekends and establish a lifelong love for the Far East.

After returning to San Mateo in 1959, their son, David III, was born. Dave began with Crocker National Bank, which had merged with his father’s bank, the National Bank of San Mateo. Ruth began her career as a speech therapist at the Morrison Rehabilitation Center in San Francisco.

In 1960, Dave and Ruth moved to Pebble Beach, CA, where Dave was the manager of the new Crocker Bank across from Del Monte Lodge. They continued to make lifelong friends, playing tennis and golf and entertaining for the bank. Later that year, their daughter Carol was born. Between raising kids, Ruth started a Speech Clinic for the Crippled Children’s Society in Monterey and served on multiple non-profit boards.

In 1964, they returned to the San Francisco Peninsula and settled in Burlingame. Once the kids were in school, Ruth immersed herself as a community as a leader and volunteer. Ruth served on the Boards of Directors of multiple civic and nonprofits. One of her proudest accomplishments was the co-founding of and her 60+ year association with the Hillsborough Auxiliary of the Peninsula Family Service. In the 1980s, she started Ruth Wisnom Advertising & Design, which catered to local and regional businesses for over 20 years. 

Ruth and David loved to travel throughout England, Europe, Asia, and, of course, back to Taiwan, where they started. Most of all, Ruth cherished her five granddaughters and loved creating memorable experiences for them every occasion, including birthdays and holidays.

Ruth served on the Boards of Directors of the San Francisco Junior League, SF Opera Guild, Spring Opera, Junior League Previews Chair, St Matthews Episcopal Day School, and Hillsborough Garden Club President; she was a Founder of Hillsborough Beautification Foundation, part of the National Visiting Gardens Committee Garden Club of America, President, Avery Fuller Welch Children’s Foundation, Volunteer of the Year with husband David: Volunteer Bureau, San Mateo Community Volunteer of the year. 

Many lives are richer because of her presence. Ruth was larger than life and enjoyed every moment she lived. Over the course of her 90 years, she touched many hearts and was cherished by her family and friends. She left an indelible mark on the charities she volunteered with and created a legacy of giving back to the community that future generations will carry on. All will greatly miss her.

Ruth is survived by her son, David Wisnom III and his wife, Derith Thorn Wisnom and their daughters, Sarah and Whitney; her son-in-law, Donald Edwin “Deke” Kastner II and his daughters, Page, Grace and Lainie; and her younger brother, Bruce E. Joseph, his wife, Mary Pat and their three daughters, Jennifer, Beth and Kim. Ruth was predeceased by her loving husband of 59 years, David, daughter Carol and sister, Carol.

The family will notify friends and family of a Memorial and Celebration of Life in the new year.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Family Service Agency, 24 Second Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401 or to your favorite charity.