Dr. Ruth A. Rusling, 91, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Moravian Village, Bethlehem.   She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, William E. Rusling, in July, 2016 and her grandson, Matthew Peltzer in February, 2021.

Born in Dover, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Mildred (Ellingwood) Castner. Ruth grew up in Succasunna, NJ, graduating from Roxbury High in 1948.

Ruth was an accomplished academic, graduating from Bucknell University with a B.A in Education in 1952 where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Mu sorority. She also received her MA from Temple University, a Ph.D. in Special Education from Lehigh University, Her MDiv from Chestnut Hill College and a DMin from McCormack Seminary. She taught in several elementary schools for many years, ending her teaching career as the Preschool Director at First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem in the late 1970's.

In mid-life, Ruth transitioned from public education to pastoral ministry, practicing the art of Spiritual Direction, founding the Damascan Ministries at FPC, leading contemplative retreats and teaching spiritual disciplines.  A very active member of First Presbyterian Church, she served on the Session, as Moderator of the Lehigh Valley Presbytery, and as a delegate to the General Assembly of the PC-USA.

Ruth's other passion in life was Bucknell University, volunteering for over 50 years with the Alumni Association.  As Class Reporter, her pithy columns in the Bucknell World helped her classmates keep abreast of one another long before social media.  In 2002, Ruth was honored with the "Loyalty to Bucknell" award at her 50 ^th class Reunion.

Ruth and Bill kept a vacation home at Lake Naomi where she enjoyed skiing, tennis, sailing, kayaking, bridge and baking many delights with the buckets of blueberries that Bill picked daily in the summer. She was a self-admitted jigsaw puzzle addict, with an unfinished puzzle gracing her living room. Always the educator, Ruth loved imparting these passions on to her family.

She is survived by a daughter, Beverly Peltzer of Soquel, California; a son, David Rusling of Sedona, Arizona; grandsons Bryan, Tim and Will and 4 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at the convenience of the family in 2022.  In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be given to "The Rusling Family Scholarship Fund" at Bucknell University or The Bach Choir of Bethlehem.  Online condolences may be sent to www.pearsonfh.com.