Ruth Wendel

Ruth Clarke Wendel died peacefully in the comfort of her home on Sunday, August 6th, 2023. She was 89 years old.

Ruth was born in Oswego New York on June 25th, 1934. She and her twin sister Julie were educated at Wheaton College, in Norton Massachusetts. They were both among the first women ever accepted into Harvard’s MBA program, in 1957. She married David D. Wendel that same year. She and David moved to the D.C. area at the start of his Episcopal ministry. Throughout the 1960s, they spent years living in various cities and towns in Brazil. Then, after spending a year in London, they returned to the United States. They lived a life filled with learning, experience, and devotion.

For much of her life, Ruth was an enthusiastic tennis player and a great fan of the sport. She was also a prodigious reader, a habit she imparted to her children. Her love of reading was matched by her support for local libraries. Until recent years, she could be seen regularly at the New Braunfels Public Library where she did volunteer work.

Ruth was a lifelong Episcoplian. She and her family lived in New Braunfels, Texas both in the 1970s and in the 2000s. They attended St. John’s Episcopal Church. New Braunfels and St. John’s were both special places for her and her family.

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, at 10:00 AM, on Monday, August 14th. The address is 312 S Guenther Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, Ruth suggested that loved ones consider donating to one of the following organizations:

The New Braunfels Public Library. 700 E Common St, New Braunfels, TX 78130.

John D. Wendel Scholarship for Excellence in Autism at Texas State University Dept. of Communication Disorders. 200 Bobcat Way Suite 253 Round Rock, TX 78665.

The scholarship was started by Ruth and David in 2013 and provides financial support for graduate students training to work with individuals on the autism spectrum.

Ruth is survived by her husband, David, her twin sister, Julie, her four children, David, Clarke (m. Renee), Jane (m. David Turner) , and John, and her grandchildren, John, Jami, John David, and Chase.