Ruth Yamawaki
Sept. 7, 1955-Oct. 24, 2024
Palo Alto, California

Ruth Yamawaki passed away peacefully on October 24 after a five-year battle with cancer. Missing her are her cherished children, Naomi and Simon, and siblings Lynn, Paul, Kent, and Doug – as well as countless cousins, nieces, nephews, colleagues, friends, and long-time Palo Alto neighbors.

Raised with her siblings in a tight-knit Japanese community in Alameda, California, her family fondly remembers playing sports and camping together as children.

A series of ear infections left Ruth with complete conductive loss by the time she was five. At that time, hearing aid technology was still developing, and she spent much of her youth ensconced in the world of books. Her natural curiosity and commitment to schoolwork earned her a spot and many scholarships at UC Berkeley, where she studied bacteriology. Through significant advances in hearing aid technology, she remained an avid reader throughout her lifetime.

Ruth was an accomplished electron microscopist. She began her career at SRI and spent decades working at various labs at Stanford, authoring and supporting dozens of published papers and proud to contribute to scientific research and advancement. Initially drawn to the work for its rigor and routine, Ruth, ever-evolving, treasured opportunities to learn and share new techniques.

At one with nature, Ruth nurtured houseplants and communed with trees, especially ancient redwoods, with whom she could have long conversations. Animals loved Ruth, and she was a reliable pet sitter for many friends and family – so reliable that a short-term stint caring for a cockatiel, Chirp, became permanent. Experimenting with worm composting, Ruth became focused on the needs and preferences of the worms and fed them only their favorite leftovers.

Ruth was a connoisseur of ice cream, chocolate, and all baked goods, and she consistently updated her scientific ranking of San Francisco’s best croissants. Visiting Ruth always entailed a trip to all newly opened confection shops and new menu items at the California Avenue farmer’s market. Even more than eating them, she loved to bake and share cookies with anyone she could. During her 14-year tenure as a resident fellow in a dorm on Stanford’s campus, Ruth connected with countless undergraduates, nurturing them in many ways, including through weekly cookie study breaks. Many say her cookies are the best they’ve ever had.

She delighted in trying new things and was determined and adventurous. Once, a non-stop flight from the East Coast was rescheduled to include a six-hour layover in Chicago – rather than roll her eyes at a setback, she embraced the opportunity to explore a new city on her own. Hair loss from chemotherapy resulted in opportunities for pink wigs and henna designs on her bare head. The end of one treatment involved a dance party at a mountain cabin, showing her kids what she had learned in her disco classes in the ‘70s.

Ruth radiated joy and was full of life and laughter. We will forever cherish memories of her bravery, warmth, and kindness.