Ruth Ann Montgomery: A Life of Curiosity and Civic Leadership

At her core, Ruth Ann Montgomery was curious. The leader in Dallas civic life worked on historical preservation efforts in the city, acquired collections for the Dallas Museum of Art, served on the Dallas Plan and Zoning Commission and even led development projects in Fredericksburg. Her children said that, once she got curious about something, she followed it relentlessly, often up to the top leadership role in an organization.

“If she got involved in it, by God, she was going to make sure it was done right,” her second-oldest son, Carter Montgomery, joked. But he added that she wasn’t forceful. “She’d share her vision, get people excited about her vision, and she had a way of making people feel like it was their idea as much as hers,” he said.

Early Life and Education

Ruth Ann Montgomery died April 7 at the age of 94. Born in Lawrence, Kan., she and her family moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area during the Great Depression. She graduated from Highland Park High School and got her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Southern Methodist University, according to her obituary. She married Philip Montgomery, a doctor and professor at UT Southwestern, and had four sons. They became lifelong Dallasites, helping mold the city as it grew.

Family Life and Travel

Harold Montgomery, the youngest son, said that, despite their myriad obligations, his parents “always had their compass set on the family.” After his parents bought a home in Fredericksburg, they made the over four-hour drive down about twice a month to soak up nature and spend time together in the Hill Country.

They also traversed the globe on summer travels. The same curiosity that propelled Ruth Ann Montgomery to become a civic leader also took her family to uncommon destinations, including the Amazon rainforest, Africa and Russia (when it was still the Soviet Union).

Instilling Curiosity in Her Children

Her independent, inquisitive nature was also something she strove to instill in her children. Harold Montgomery said that, at age 14, he spent a summer working at a bird zoo in the Cotswolds in England to test out his interest in ornithology. His oldest brother, Philip Montgomery III, was curious about oceanography and was sent on an expedition to the Bahamas.

But that effort wasn’t limited to international travel. Carter said his mother was always constructively challenging her children with questions about their ideas and plans. Those questions always felt supportive, he said, but could push them to reconsider their motivations.

“You ended up having a much stronger conviction about your conclusion, one way or the other,” he said.

Legacy and Civic Contributions

Her sons also spoke of her kindness and constant smile, something echoed by her peers. “Ruth Ann was just this vibrant, wonderful, happy person who was giving all the time,” said Kay Bailey Hutchison, a former U.S. senator from Dallas.

Hutchison and Montgomery were both early members of Charter 100, a women’s group for business, professional and civic leaders that Hutchison helped found. Hutchison pointed to the preservation of Old City Park, a 22-acre space just across Interstate 30 from downtown Dallas, as one of Montgomery’s key accomplishments.

Harold Montgomery added that his mother was crucial to the planning of Dallas’ celebration of the U.S. bicentennial in 1976, which was held in Old City Park. He said that, in the 1960s and ’70s, it wasn’t common for graceful, powerful women to hold major leadership positions in business. His mother’s generation of movers and shakers instead shaped life in Dallas through their civic and cultural contributions.

A Lasting Impact on Dallas

Hutchison said that group of women — including Margaret McDermott and Margaret Crow — molded Dallas as it grew into a friendly, open, thriving place. “And Ruth Ann was in that category,” she said.

A celebration of her life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 26 at the Dallas Woman’s Club, 7000 Park Lane, in Dallas.

Conclusion

Ruth Ann Montgomery’s life was a testament to the power of curiosity and civic leadership. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence the city of Dallas, and her impact will be felt for generations to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When did Ruth Ann Montgomery pass away?

A: Ruth Ann Montgomery died on April 7 at the age of 94.

Q: What were some of her notable civic contributions?

A: She worked on historical preservation efforts, acquired collections for the Dallas Museum of Art, served on the Dallas Plan and Zoning Commission, and led development projects in Fredericksburg.

Q: How did she instill curiosity in her children?

A: She encouraged them to explore their interests, asked them questions about their ideas and plans, and supported them in their pursuits.

Q: What is the significance of Old City Park in Dallas?

A: Old City Park is a 22-acre space just across Interstate 30 from downtown Dallas, and its preservation was one of Ruth Ann Montgomery’s key accomplishments.