Tribute to Ruth Haefer

Ruth Robb Haefer
August 1, 1939 - March 16, 2006

Ruth Haefer has gone to join the eternal massage. She left quite suddenly, with nary a warning or sign. Unbeknownst to her, or anyone else for that matter, Ruth had brain aneurisms. Ruth was an instructor and Co-owner of the Idaho School of Massage Therapy in Boise and had been involved in many branches of the healing arts for over 20 years, and so for all of her clients, students and fellow staff members of ISMT, she will be sorely missed (pun intended.)

The eldest of 4 children, Ruth has two sisters, Yvonne and Linda, and one brother Thomas. Thankfully, they remained a presence in one another's lives, though the distance of miles separated the siblings. Ruth was born in Kansas City, Kan. and moved with her family to Oregon in 1946 where she graduated Philomath High School in 1957. Ruth was studying Pre-Med at Oregon State University, where she met a young engineering hottie James Albert Haefer. They married in 1959 and their son Loren Shae Haefer, as born June 16, 1970. After a history of work in food service, as a library assistant, clerk/typist, typesetter, press operator and craftswoman, Ruth became a full-time massage therapist in 1985. In 1987 she purchased The Idaho School of Massage Therapy, taking on a partner and co-owner in 1994, Cindy Langston.

Nationally certified in Massage and Bodywork therapies, her training included a lifelong interest in natural healing techniques, touch therapies, Jin Shin Do, Acupressure, Reflexology, Polarity, Homeopathy and traditional Shamanic studies. Ruth demonstrated with her life that continuing education was a personal commitment. Much of her wit and wisdom was displayed in her poetry and many a wicked limerick was spun the the strands she gathered at the Iron Gate Lounge.

These loving words Ruth left us all:

You offered nothing else except "I understand",
Your voice across the room, warmer than a hand.
Of all the loving words I'll ever hear or read,
Five now seem most precious:
"Take the time you need."

In honor of Ruth, a memorial service was held at Summers Funeral home on the first day of spring, March 20th, 2006, and it was officiated by EarthThunder, who helped us send Ruth to the four directions with love, peace, and gratitude for all her gentle healing ways. Thank you mightily, my friend!