Ruth Mary Browning Noyce

Ruth Mary Browning Noyce

April 14, 1926 - August 27, 2024 

Ruth Mary Browning Noyce, 98, passed away on August 27, 2024. She was born in Iron River, Michigan, on April 14, 1926 to Cecil and Matilda Browning. She grew up in Iron Mountain, Michigan with older sisters Phyllis and Rachel Tonkin and brother Richard (Dick) Browning. She excelled academically and was a talented musician, spending many summers at the Interlochen Music Camp during her youth.

 Ruth attended the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago. She moved to Salina, Kansas to be near sister, Rachel, and family at the end of World War II. Salina is where she met John Noyce, who became the love of her life. They married in March of 1947 and had their five children in Salina before moving to Overland Park, KS in 1960.

 Ruth received her masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, earning her the nickname “Doc,” which she was called by all who knew and loved her. She taught at various local elementary schools prior to accepting a faculty position with the University of Kansas in 1971. She taught in the KU School of Education for nearly 20 years, during which time she co-authored a book about teaching kids how to read, and won numerous awards, including the Amoco Teaching Excellence Award and a nomination for the prestigious Hope Award.  

Ruth was a member of United Leawood Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years. She was a member of PEO Chapter IC Missouri. In their retirement, Pop and Doc traveled the world, taking cruises to far off destinations. They enjoyed sailing on the Lake of the Ozarks and traveled back to Iron Mountain nearly every summer with their family. Later they spent their summers on the Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes in Florence, WI, where family continues to gather each summer. Doc enjoyed her time “up north” as recently as this July, spending time with friends and family, going to concerts and enjoying dinners out. 

Doc is survived by her five children; Jane (Ed) Patrick of Topeka, Joan (Andy) Brandt of Leawood, Jack (Jill) of Florence, WI, Jan (Duane) DeLyser of Diamond Bar, CA and Jeff (Perri Brubaker) of Tucson, AZ. Doc leaves numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren include: Luke (Christine) Patrick, granddaughter-in-law Jennifer Patrick, Elise Patrick, Becky Brandt (James Fowler), Kelli Brandt (Andy Lindberg), Jay Noyce, Jenny Noyce (Cory Hoover), Julie Noyce (Jason Ward), Sally DeLyser (John Ouellette), Carrie DeLyser (Steve Parham), Kathryn (David) Lorenz and Will (Jess) Noyce. Her great grandchildren include: Melia, Lauren, Jacob and Evie Patrick; Riley and Laurence Fowler; Elliott Lindberg; Ramona and Sylvie Hoover; Connor and Makenna Parham and Teddy Lorenz. She is predeceased by her loving husband John “Pop” Noyce, daughter-in-law Joy Noyce and grandson, Joshua Patrick. She leaves a legacy of love that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

 Cremation is planned and ashes will be interred in Salina, KS at a later date. A celebration of Doc’s life also will take place at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church in Iron Mountain, MI, the University of Chicago, Interlochen Center for the Arts or the University of Kansas School of Education.