RUTHELAINE RAMBO, 1914 — 2002

She was beautiful.
She was intelligent.
She was kind.
She was caring.
She was an excellent musician.
She was Ruthelaine Rambo,
beloved wife of G.L. "Gib" Rambo.
All who knew her,
loved her.

Ruthelaine was born in Visalia, CA on October 16, 1914, the daughter of I.E. "Ike" Farley, who was to become the Fresno County Recorder. He held that post for 37 years. Ruthelaine was educated in the Fresno school system and showed an outstanding talent for music. She was the featured pianist on several occasions while being accompanied by the Fresno State Symphony Orchestra.

Gib Rambo first saw Ruthelaine Farley when both were frosh students at Fresno State. She was a lovely, talented co-ed. Gib was a star athlete who was elected to the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985.

"The minute I first saw Ruthelaine," Rambo said, "I knew that one day I would ask her to marry me. She was so sleek and pretty, I couldn't resist her. I felt like the luckiest man on earth when she said 'yes.'" The Rambos met at one of the sorority-fraternity dances that were popular during the 1930s. They graduated from the University in 1937 and were married a year later.

Ruthelaine earned a teaching credential in music at FSU On campus, she became Vice President of the student body the year that Jim Mayer was the President. Ruthelaine was tall and svelte, probably the reason she was chosen to be a fashion model at Cooper's Department Store in downtown Fresno. She was most particular about her appearance, always careful with her makeup, and dressed in the latest fashion. Ruthelaine was a city girl while Gib grew up on a ranch near Semitropic, near Wasco.

World War II began. Gib served in the U.S. Coast Guard. Ruthelaine was a volunteer during the war. She was in charge of 32 women who made up meals for the ships coming into port. When the war ended, the Rambos established Rambelaine Kennels on First Street. Working together, they made it the best in the business. Ruthelaine worked tirelessly bathing dogs and checking them into their boarding cages. Gib became an excellent dog trainer.

When Gib joined the Fresno County Humane Society in 1946, Ruthelaine soon became a member, too. Working together, they helped the struggling Society survive. When funds were needed to buy cages, Ruthelaine came up with the idea that the Society "sell" cages to affluent Fresnans and have their names attached to the cages..

In 1960, Ruthelaine and Gib sold Rambelaine Kennels. A year later, Rambo was asked to be the new Executive Director of the SPCA He accepted, and again the Rambo team of Ruthelaine and Gib went into action. They often worked seven days a week and long hours. Together, Ruthelaine and Gib erased the SPCA debts.

Ruthelaine was most generous to the SPCA She donated and antique cuckoo clock for the G.L. "Gib" Rambo Education Center meeting room. And, later she gave the SPCA her cherished organ.

Ruthelaine received many honors from the Society. She was selected a member of the 500 Club, an honor for those serving 500 hours of voluteer work. In 1992, she was named "Volunteer of the Year." In 1993, after three decades of service, she was again named "Volunteer of the Year."

In 1994, Ruthelaine Rambo came down with the disease for which there is no cure, Alzheimers. With the help of a nurse, Mr. Rambo cared for his wife at home for over three years. Eventually, he had to find a home and professional care for her.

In 1998, Gib donated over $200,000 to the SPCA to build the "Ruthelaine Thrift Shop, Grooming Parlor and Pet Supply" building. This structure will forever honor her for her many contributions to the Society.

Ruthelaine is survived by her adoring husband, Gib, her brother, Earl Farley, and his wife, Noreen Farley, a number of nieces and nephews, including Andy and Dick Cheeseman, their daughter, Corey, their son, Scott Cheeseman and his wife, and many close friends.

During her ailment, Mrs. Rambo spent two years at Horizon Health and Subacute Center and three years at Somerford Place.

Ruthelaine died December 17, 2002. She was 88 years of age.

Ever since Ruthelaine Rambo was interred at Belmont Memorial Park in Fresno on December 20th, 2002, husband Gib has visited her gravesite each and every day to express his undying love.

She was beautiful. She was intelligent. She was kind. She was caring. She is sorely missed by many, especially Gib.

— LOU LAMPE

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