GIFTS IN TRIBUTE
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE
Lyn Ragsdale
March 31, 1954–December 13, 2020
Lyn Ragsdale, Ph.D., the Radoslav A. Tsanoff Professor of Public Affairs and Political Science at Rice University, a dedicated scholar, educator, administrator, researcher, author, traveler and patron of the arts, died unexpectedly at her Houston home on Sunday, December 13, 2020. A dynamic force, she lived an accomplished life and her hard work, intellect, generosity, caring nature, and wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed.
Lyn was a beloved wife, mother and sister. In 1988, she married fellow political scientist, Jerrold “Jerry” Rusk and they had 32 wonderful years together sharing academic pursuits, music, sports, theatre and travel. Together they raised their son, Saint Louis Ballet company member, Matthew Rusk.
Lyn loved the arts, especially ballet. She passed her passion onto Matthew when at the age of 5 he attended his first ballet, The Nutcracker, and loved it. From that moment on, ballet became Matthew's passion. Lyn and Matthew attended hundreds of ballets together throughout the world, providing Matthew with the opportunity to learn from the finest ballet dancers.
Lyn was overjoyed when Matthew became a professional ballet dancer. She attended his every performance with Saint Louis Ballet, regularly traveling to St. Louis from Houston. Over the years, she became a great friend to the ballet company, supporting its professional and community-based programs with great enthusiasm.
Saint Louis Ballet extends our deepest sympathy to Matthew and to all of Lyn’s family and friends at this profoundly difficult time. To read more about Lyn and her amazing life, click here.
To make a contribution to Saint Louis Ballet in Lyn’s memory, click here
Matthew Rusk performs Cavalier in "The Nutcracker". Photo by Kelly Pratt
GIFTS IN TRIBUTE
In memory of Lyn Ragsdale
Kathryn Cervenka
Jeffrey Compton
Jeanne Doornbos and Michael Maher
Songying Fang
Marilyn Getzov
Brian Hammer
Allegra Hernandez
Vivian Ho and Richard Boylan
Diane Kaiser
Rachel Kimbro
Kathleen Matthews
Susan McIntosh
Marie Lynn Miranda
Tracy Ragsdale
Kris Ramesh
Brandon Rottinghaus
Courtney Stefancyk
Richard Stoll
Kathy Sykes and Stephen Vetzner
Renee Templeraud
Mark Toubin
George Zodrow
In memory of Sarah Brent Ridley Trimble, who loved ballet
Dr. Selden Trimble
In memory of those who have lost their lives due to COVID-19
Elaine Kavanaugh
In memory of Betty Abernathie
Chad and Julie Johnson
In memory of Charles Wade Gilbert
Alice Gilbert
In memory of David Herman
Laura Moore, My Verdant Green
In memory of Joseph Meives and John Meives
Richard Meives
In memory of Frank Joseph Napp, who loved to watch his granddaughter dance.
Marlene and Lisa Napp
In memory of Lillian Noga
Michael Noga
In memory of Mary M. Marschner
Jemima Phillips
In memory of Doris Pree
Dolores Miller
In memory of Alex Weisebach
Karen Allgeier
In honor of Debra Armistead
Courtney Armistead
In honor of Margarita Botta
Charles Tuschling
In honor of Lauren Christensen
The Arneson Family
Courtney Christensen
Reatha Christensen
In honor of Rebecca Cornett
Karen Allgeier
In honor of Jennifer and Gary Cowgill
Nathalie Williams
In honor of Ana Victoria Garcia
Ivette Geusz
In honor of Sarah Glasser
Janice Gunst
Julianne Kirk
Cinthia Larrew
Kay Lewkowsky
Annette and Randall Markarian
Anna Brasher Molina
Amanda Spitzer Settle
Patricia Whiteside
Harry Willis
In honor of Julie Heiss
Sharon Burman
In honor of Amy Herchenroether and Family
Jane Corbelli
Susan Herchenroether
Elaine Sheehan
In honor of Rosalind Holden
Brian and Keri Hoffmann
In honor of Gen and Tanya Horiuchi
Nancy Goldstein
Paris Hobbs
In honor of Elizabeth Lloyd
Cathie and Scott Hernandez
Kim Hollis
Dorothy Powell
Stephen and Carol Wilenchek
In honor of Rachelle Mahoney
Richard Mahoney
In honor of Arleen Meadows
Merridith von Hartitzsch
In honor of Ruby and Eloise Morris
Swedroe Family Charitable Foundation at Youthbridge Community Foundation
In honor of Phillury Platte
Cynthia McDonnell
In honor of Matthew Rusk
Kathy Svensson Sykes
In honor of the beautiful dancers of Saint Louis Ballet
Marc Ellis and Kathy LaRocco
Lauren Landman
In honor of the staff and dancers of Saint Louis Ballet
Pamela Wollenberg
In honor of Kirsten Schultz
Brian Schultz
Sue Sonke
In honor of Alice Carter Seddon
Margaret Gilleo and Charles Guenther
In honor of Sean Sessions
Laura Sessions
In honor of Mary Strauss
Julie and Tim Noonan
Kelly Pollock
Stephanie Riven
Lisa and Tom Suntrup
Fabienne Vincel
In honor of Masaki Suzuki
Masami Suzuki
In honor of Koichiro Tago
Miho and Koichiro Tago
In honor of Thomas R. and Carol Voss
Marc Gordon
Michael Isaacson and Joseph Ortmeyer
Charmaigne Scott
In honor of Patricia and Dr. Leo Whiteside
Jane and Al Van Amburg
In honor of Lori Wilson
Jason Brown
In honor of Vanessa Woods
John Bradbury
If you are interested in honoring or remembering a friend or family member with a tax-deductible gift to Saint Louis Ballet
please contact Valerie Miller at valmiller@stlouisballet.org.
Above: SLB Dancers in Christopher Wheeldon's "The American", photo by Kelly Pratt