Dr. Ruth Boxberger, 93, died Sept. 8 at Hays Medical Center at Hays.  Born Sept. 28, 1919 at Russell County, she was the daughter of Henry G. and Eugenia (Becker) Boxberger.
Dr. Boxberger attended Russell County Schools, graduating from Russell High School. She attended Colorado Women’s College and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia. She received her Master of Science degree from the University of Minnesota and her Doctorate degree from the University of Kansas. She was the first woman in the United States to receive a PhD in music therapy.
She taught school at Severy High School, Severy; and at Pawnee Rock High School.  She was Professor of Music at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio; the University of Kansas, Lawrence; and East Carolina University for 20 years, until her retirement in 1987. She also did hospital work for the Veterans Administration Hospital, Knoxville, Iowa; U. S. Army Hospital, Battle Creek, Mich.; and Shepherd Air Force Regional Hospital, Wichita Falls, Texas.
Following her retirement, Dr. Boxberger moved to Great Bend in 1993, coming from Greenville, North Carolina.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, as well as American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters, National Music Therapy Association, and University of Kansas Alumni Association.
Survivors include two sisters, Esther Ethem of Parker, Colo. and JoAnne Kreie and her husband Jim of Great Bend.  She is also survived by six nieces and nephews: Gary Boxberger, Linda Boxberger, Audrey Vaughn, Kirk Kreie, Lynne Petzold, and Henry Ethem; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by her dog, Missy.
She was preceded in death by one brother, Carl William Boxberger, one sister, Virginia Rein, and one niece, Karen (Rein) Penland.
Graveside Service will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, at 11:00 a.m. at Russell City Cemetery in Russell with Rev. James A. Strasen officiating. Interment will be at Russell City Cemetery, Russell.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, Sept. 13, at Bryant Funeral Home.  Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.  Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net
    
Funeral arrangements by **    
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS,  67530
Great Bend, (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 10, 2013