Ronald Theodore Reuther
Encyclopedia
Ronald Theodore Reuther (1929–2007) was a committed naturalist
who spent decades managing and improving several major zoos, and was an aviation enthusiast. Armed with a Bachelor of Science
in Wildlife Conservation
, Reuther held curator and director positions for the Micke Grove Zoo
, the Cleveland Zoo, the Indianapolis Zoo
, the San Francisco Zoo
, and the Philadelphia Zoo
. As Director of the San Francisco Zoo
, Reuther was instrumental in the creation of a project to teach the gorilla Koko
sign language. As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
, Reuther helped to advance the transformation of zoos into research centers, and to promote the conservation and care of wildlife. As an aviation enthusiast, Reuther founded the Western Aerospace Museum and pursued the study of his personal interest in the disappearance of pilot Amelia Earhart
.
on December 25, 1929. As a young boy, he developed an early love of animals and a fascination with flight. He raised racing pigeons, ducks and chickens in his backyard, and would spend time at the beach with his brother and sister watching the birds at the shore. "The birds flying on the beach was a big part of his flying idea." said his wife, Gerry Elkus.
After the start of World War II, Reuther's family moved to the Bay Area where he later attended San Francisco's Lowell High School
. During this period he became active in naturalist concerns. During the summer of 1945, Reuther worked on a game bird farm in Napa
, California
. He also helped establish the Western Bird Banding Association, and worked to help stop the indiscriminate shooting of California
sea lions by the U.S. Coast Guard at Point Reyes
. Ron would also spend a great deal of time at the San Francisco Zoo
visiting his uncle Carey Baldwin, who was its director for 23 years.
After graduating from high school, Reuther attended the University of California-Berkeley to study Wildlife Conservation
. During this period, Ron continued to work on advancing the study of wildlife by establishing the Point Reyes Bird Observatory. He also worked with the U.S. Public Health Service, as a Field Biologist
, studying the epidemiology
of encephalitis
. As a field biologist
, he spent time in California
and Japan
studying the natural history of birds.
Reuther received his Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Conservation
in 1951. He went on to do some graduate work studying Zoology
at the University of Arizona
, and Paleontology
at the University of California-Berkeley.
During Reuther's graduate work, he served in the Reserve Officers Training Corps for the U.S. Air Force. In 1954 he officially joined the Air Force
and became a pilot. For the next two years, Reuther flew B-26 Bombers and C-119 "flying boxcars" during tours of duty in Europe
and North Africa
.
Reuther remained active in the Air Force Reserve for most of his life, until he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel
in 1981. Reuther received the Meritorious Service Medal
.
and became the first director of the fledgling Micke Grove Zoo
in Lodi
, California
. His philosophy that zoos were meant to educate the public on the importance of animal conservation was quite new at the time. Part of his approach was the insistence that zoos charge admission in order to generate money to do the work.
After a year at Micke Grove Zoo
, Reuther moved to Ohio
to take the position of General Curator
for the Cleveland Zoo. While there, Reuther authored The Official Guide Book - Cleveland Zoological Park. From 1962 to 1964 he was the Director of the Indianapolis Zoo
, moved back to Cleveland to become its zoo's Assistant Director
from 1964 to 1966, then moved back to California
to become the director of the San Francisco Zoo
.
While director of the San Francisco Zoo
, from 1966 to 1973, Reuther transformed the zoo
from an amusement center, to a center of education
and research
. When he arrived at the zoo
, he was faced with a meager budget, and a volunteer veterinarian
. "First of all, there just be facilities and staff - then you go on from there, to match what other zoos already are accomplishing" Reuther said in 1968. By 1973, he had increased the zoo
's budget by 50 percent and hired a full time veterinarian
and full time zoologists.
In 1972, Reuther saved the life of a baby gorilla
, born at the zoo, by taking her home and nursing, the pneumonia
-stricken ape back to health. The following year, Reuther allowed the baby gorilla
named Hanabi-Ko, better known as Koko
, to become the centerpiece of a project by Stanford University
graduate student Francine Patterson
, who famously went on to teach Koko
to communicate through sign language
. "Ron was the one who was crucial to allow the project to start, and the rest is history," said Lorraine Slater, executive director of the "Gorilla Foundation of Woodside" and http://www.koko.org. "I think he understood apes in a way few people did at the time. He was very dedicated in caring for them."
Reuther remained at the San Francisco Zoo
until 1973 when he became President
and Executive Director
of the Philadelphia Zoo
. Reuther then retired in 1978.
During his years as a zoo
manager, Ronald Reuther was a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
. Reuther served on the Board of Directors from 1965 to 1971, served on many committees, and was editor
of the AZA
newsletter. From 1968 to 1970 Reuther was President
of the AZA
. Two publications were created during his tenure: Zoological Park Fundamentals, and Zookeeper Training: A suggested Guide for Instructors.
, and on aeronautics
at Sierra Academy of Aeronautics
, a school for professional pilots. Reuther co-authored two books with William Larkins: San Francisco Bay Area Aviation, and Oakland Aviation. "He had a great interest in aviation history, as well as flying, and a special interest in the aviation history of the Bay Area and Northern California," said Larkins.
In 1981, Reuther founded the Western Aerospace Museum, now known as the Oakland Aviation Museum
. As founder, president
, and executive director
, Reuther was instrumental in the creation of the 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²) museum, which includes exhibits on the history of Oakland International Airport
, women in aviation, and notable flyers like the Tuskegee Airmen
. In the museum's collection are the sister ship of Amelia Earhart
's Lockheed Model 10 Electra
, and the "flying boat" used in the film Raiders of the Lost Ark
.
Reuther was particularly knowledgeable about flight pioneer Amelia Earhart. He was fascinated by the circumstances of Earhart's disappearance and was an active member of the worldwide Amelia Earhart Society. Reuther organized four of the society's conferences in the Bay Area, and lectured about the subject at educational institutions. In 2002, Reuther organized a gathering in Oakland, California
, and led a tour of places Earhart had visited before her final flight in 1937.
Reuther was also a member of the Northern California
Chapter of the Explorers Club, and served as its president
from 1989 to 1995.
Ronald Theodore Reuther died on October 4, 2007 of colon cancer.
Naturalist
Naturalist may refer to:* Practitioner of natural history* Conservationist* Advocate of naturalism * Naturalist , autobiography-See also:* The American Naturalist, periodical* Naturalism...
who spent decades managing and improving several major zoos, and was an aviation enthusiast. Armed with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Wildlife Conservation
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife conservation is the preservation, protection, or restoration of wildlife and their environment, especially in relation to endangered and vulnerable species. All living non-domesticated animals, even if bred, hatched or born in captivity, are considered wild animals. Wildlife represents all...
, Reuther held curator and director positions for the Micke Grove Zoo
Micke Grove Zoo
Micke Grove Zoo is a small zoo that opened in 1957 in Lodi, California. It is located within Micke Grove Regional Park, which includes a Japanese garden, the San Joaquin Historical Museum, an amusement park, and picnic shelters.-History:...
, the Cleveland Zoo, the Indianapolis Zoo
Indianapolis Zoo
The Indianapolis Zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, first opened to the public in 1964. Its current home in White River State Park was opened in 1988 with a size of . The zoo hosts more than a million visitors each year and plays a role in worldwide conservation and research, including...
, the San Francisco Zoo
San Francisco Zoo
The San Francisco Zoo, housing more than 260 animal species, is a zoo located in the southwestern corner of San Francisco, California, between Lake Merced and the Pacific Ocean along the Great Highway...
, and the Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the west bank of the Schuylkill River, was the first zoo in the United States. Chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on March 21, 1859, its opening was delayed by the American Civil War until July 1, 1874...
. As Director of the San Francisco Zoo
San Francisco Zoo
The San Francisco Zoo, housing more than 260 animal species, is a zoo located in the southwestern corner of San Francisco, California, between Lake Merced and the Pacific Ocean along the Great Highway...
, Reuther was instrumental in the creation of a project to teach the gorilla Koko
Koko
-People, animals, and plants:* Emperor Kōkō , 58th emperor of Japan* Koko Taylor , R&B singer* Koko Pimentel , Philippine politician* Koko , ape that underwent training in Gorilla Sign Language...
sign language. As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums was founded in 1924 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.The AZA headquarters is located in Silver...
, Reuther helped to advance the transformation of zoos into research centers, and to promote the conservation and care of wildlife. As an aviation enthusiast, Reuther founded the Western Aerospace Museum and pursued the study of his personal interest in the disappearance of pilot Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
.
Early life
Ronald Theodore Reuther was born in Miami, FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
on December 25, 1929. As a young boy, he developed an early love of animals and a fascination with flight. He raised racing pigeons, ducks and chickens in his backyard, and would spend time at the beach with his brother and sister watching the birds at the shore. "The birds flying on the beach was a big part of his flying idea." said his wife, Gerry Elkus.
After the start of World War II, Reuther's family moved to the Bay Area where he later attended San Francisco's Lowell High School
Lowell High School (San Francisco)
Lowell High School is a public magnet school in San Francisco, California. The school opened in 1856 as the Union Grammar School and attained its current name in 1896. Lowell moved to its current location in the Merced Manor neighborhood in 1962....
. During this period he became active in naturalist concerns. During the summer of 1945, Reuther worked on a game bird farm in Napa
Napa, California
-History:The name Napa was probably derived from the name given to a southern Nappan village whose people shared the area with elk, deer, grizzlies and cougars for many centuries, according to Napa historian Kami Santiago. At the time of the first recorded exploration into Napa Valley in 1823, the...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He also helped establish the Western Bird Banding Association, and worked to help stop the indiscriminate shooting of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
sea lions by the U.S. Coast Guard at Point Reyes
Point Reyes
Point Reyes is a prominent cape on the Pacific coast of northern California. It is located in Marin County approximately WNW of San Francisco. The term is often applied to the Point Reyes Peninsula, the region bounded by Tomales Bay on the northeast and Bolinas Lagoon on the southeast...
. Ron would also spend a great deal of time at the San Francisco Zoo
San Francisco Zoo
The San Francisco Zoo, housing more than 260 animal species, is a zoo located in the southwestern corner of San Francisco, California, between Lake Merced and the Pacific Ocean along the Great Highway...
visiting his uncle Carey Baldwin, who was its director for 23 years.
After graduating from high school, Reuther attended the University of California-Berkeley to study Wildlife Conservation
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife conservation is the preservation, protection, or restoration of wildlife and their environment, especially in relation to endangered and vulnerable species. All living non-domesticated animals, even if bred, hatched or born in captivity, are considered wild animals. Wildlife represents all...
. During this period, Ron continued to work on advancing the study of wildlife by establishing the Point Reyes Bird Observatory. He also worked with the U.S. Public Health Service, as a Field Biologist
Biologist
A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of life. Typically biologists study organisms and their relationship to their environment. Biologists involved in basic research attempt to discover underlying mechanisms that govern how organisms work...
, studying the epidemiology
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study of health-event, health-characteristic, or health-determinant patterns in a population. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based medicine by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive...
of encephalitis
Encephalitis
Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis with meningitis is known as meningoencephalitis. Symptoms include headache, fever, confusion, drowsiness, and fatigue...
. As a field biologist
Biologist
A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of life. Typically biologists study organisms and their relationship to their environment. Biologists involved in basic research attempt to discover underlying mechanisms that govern how organisms work...
, he spent time in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
studying the natural history of birds.
Reuther received his Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Conservation
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife conservation is the preservation, protection, or restoration of wildlife and their environment, especially in relation to endangered and vulnerable species. All living non-domesticated animals, even if bred, hatched or born in captivity, are considered wild animals. Wildlife represents all...
in 1951. He went on to do some graduate work studying Zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
at the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
, and Paleontology
Paleontology
Paleontology "old, ancient", ὄν, ὀντ- "being, creature", and λόγος "speech, thought") is the study of prehistoric life. It includes the study of fossils to determine organisms' evolution and interactions with each other and their environments...
at the University of California-Berkeley.
During Reuther's graduate work, he served in the Reserve Officers Training Corps for the U.S. Air Force. In 1954 he officially joined the Air Force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
and became a pilot. For the next two years, Reuther flew B-26 Bombers and C-119 "flying boxcars" during tours of duty in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
.
Reuther remained active in the Air Force Reserve for most of his life, until he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
in 1981. Reuther received the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
.
Zoological career
In 1957, Ronald Reuther moved back to CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and became the first director of the fledgling Micke Grove Zoo
Micke Grove Zoo
Micke Grove Zoo is a small zoo that opened in 1957 in Lodi, California. It is located within Micke Grove Regional Park, which includes a Japanese garden, the San Joaquin Historical Museum, an amusement park, and picnic shelters.-History:...
in Lodi
Lodi, California
Lodi is a city located in , in the northern portion of California's Central Valley. The population was 62,134 at the 2010 census. The California Department of Finance's population estimate as of January 1, 2011 is 62,473....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. His philosophy that zoos were meant to educate the public on the importance of animal conservation was quite new at the time. Part of his approach was the insistence that zoos charge admission in order to generate money to do the work.
After a year at Micke Grove Zoo
Micke Grove Zoo
Micke Grove Zoo is a small zoo that opened in 1957 in Lodi, California. It is located within Micke Grove Regional Park, which includes a Japanese garden, the San Joaquin Historical Museum, an amusement park, and picnic shelters.-History:...
, Reuther moved to Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
to take the position of General Curator
Curator
A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution is a content specialist responsible for an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material...
for the Cleveland Zoo. While there, Reuther authored The Official Guide Book - Cleveland Zoological Park. From 1962 to 1964 he was the Director of the Indianapolis Zoo
Indianapolis Zoo
The Indianapolis Zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, first opened to the public in 1964. Its current home in White River State Park was opened in 1988 with a size of . The zoo hosts more than a million visitors each year and plays a role in worldwide conservation and research, including...
, moved back to Cleveland to become its zoo's Assistant Director
Assistant director
The role of an Assistant director include tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, maintaining order on the set. They also have to take care of health and safety of the crew...
from 1964 to 1966, then moved back to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to become the director of the San Francisco Zoo
San Francisco Zoo
The San Francisco Zoo, housing more than 260 animal species, is a zoo located in the southwestern corner of San Francisco, California, between Lake Merced and the Pacific Ocean along the Great Highway...
.
While director of the San Francisco Zoo
San Francisco Zoo
The San Francisco Zoo, housing more than 260 animal species, is a zoo located in the southwestern corner of San Francisco, California, between Lake Merced and the Pacific Ocean along the Great Highway...
, from 1966 to 1973, Reuther transformed the zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
from an amusement center, to a center of education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
. When he arrived at the zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
, he was faced with a meager budget, and a volunteer veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
. "First of all, there just be facilities and staff - then you go on from there, to match what other zoos already are accomplishing" Reuther said in 1968. By 1973, he had increased the zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
's budget by 50 percent and hired a full time veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
and full time zoologists.
In 1972, Reuther saved the life of a baby gorilla
Gorilla
Gorillas are the largest extant species of primates. They are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous apes that inhabit the forests of central Africa. Gorillas are divided into two species and either four or five subspecies...
, born at the zoo, by taking her home and nursing, the pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
-stricken ape back to health. The following year, Reuther allowed the baby gorilla
Gorilla
Gorillas are the largest extant species of primates. They are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous apes that inhabit the forests of central Africa. Gorillas are divided into two species and either four or five subspecies...
named Hanabi-Ko, better known as Koko
Koko
-People, animals, and plants:* Emperor Kōkō , 58th emperor of Japan* Koko Taylor , R&B singer* Koko Pimentel , Philippine politician* Koko , ape that underwent training in Gorilla Sign Language...
, to become the centerpiece of a project by Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
graduate student Francine Patterson
Francine Patterson
Dr. "Penny" Patterson is an American researcher who taught a modified form of American Sign Language, which she calls "Gorilla Sign Language", or GSL, to a gorilla named Koko....
, who famously went on to teach Koko
Koko
-People, animals, and plants:* Emperor Kōkō , 58th emperor of Japan* Koko Taylor , R&B singer* Koko Pimentel , Philippine politician* Koko , ape that underwent training in Gorilla Sign Language...
to communicate through sign language
Sign language
A sign language is a language which, instead of acoustically conveyed sound patterns, uses visually transmitted sign patterns to convey meaning—simultaneously combining hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker's...
. "Ron was the one who was crucial to allow the project to start, and the rest is history," said Lorraine Slater, executive director of the "Gorilla Foundation of Woodside" and http://www.koko.org. "I think he understood apes in a way few people did at the time. He was very dedicated in caring for them."
Reuther remained at the San Francisco Zoo
San Francisco Zoo
The San Francisco Zoo, housing more than 260 animal species, is a zoo located in the southwestern corner of San Francisco, California, between Lake Merced and the Pacific Ocean along the Great Highway...
until 1973 when he became President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
and Executive Director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
of the Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the west bank of the Schuylkill River, was the first zoo in the United States. Chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on March 21, 1859, its opening was delayed by the American Civil War until July 1, 1874...
. Reuther then retired in 1978.
During his years as a zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
manager, Ronald Reuther was a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums was founded in 1924 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.The AZA headquarters is located in Silver...
. Reuther served on the Board of Directors from 1965 to 1971, served on many committees, and was editor
Editor in chief
An editor-in-chief is a publication's primary editor, having final responsibility for the operations and policies. Additionally, the editor-in-chief is held accountable for delegating tasks to staff members as well as keeping up with the time it takes them to complete their task...
of the AZA
Aza
Aza may refer to:*Gaza*Gaza Strip*Aza , a village or town section in the Japanese addressing system*Azadkənd, Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan*Aza, Azerbaijan*Aźa, a Tibetan name for the Tuyuhun Kingdom...
newsletter. From 1968 to 1970 Reuther was President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the AZA
Aza
Aza may refer to:*Gaza*Gaza Strip*Aza , a village or town section in the Japanese addressing system*Azadkənd, Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan*Aza, Azerbaijan*Aźa, a Tibetan name for the Tuyuhun Kingdom...
. Two publications were created during his tenure: Zoological Park Fundamentals, and Zookeeper Training: A suggested Guide for Instructors.
Aviation
After retirement, Ronald Reuther returned to his love of airplanes. He lectured on aviation operations and management for Golden Gate UniversityGolden Gate University
Golden Gate University is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational university located in the South of Market district, immediately south of the Financial District of downtown San Francisco, California...
, and on aeronautics
Aeronautics
Aeronautics is the science involved with the study, design, and manufacturing of airflight-capable machines, or the techniques of operating aircraft and rocketry within the atmosphere...
at Sierra Academy of Aeronautics
Sierra Academy of Aeronautics
The Sierra Academy of Aeronautics is an aviation flight school headquartered in Livermore, California. It operates two training facilities. The largest is at the Livermore Municipal Airport. The other facility is located at the former Castle Air Force Base in Merced, California...
, a school for professional pilots. Reuther co-authored two books with William Larkins: San Francisco Bay Area Aviation, and Oakland Aviation. "He had a great interest in aviation history, as well as flying, and a special interest in the aviation history of the Bay Area and Northern California," said Larkins.
In 1981, Reuther founded the Western Aerospace Museum, now known as the Oakland Aviation Museum
Oakland Aviation Museum
Oakland Aviation Museum, formerly called Western Aerospace Museum, was founded in 1981 as a non-profit organization operating an aviation museum located at North Field of Oakland International Airport in Oakland, California. It has over 30 vintage and modern airplanes, both civilian and military,...
. As founder, president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
, and executive director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
, Reuther was instrumental in the creation of the 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²) museum, which includes exhibits on the history of Oakland International Airport
Oakland International Airport
Oakland International Airport , also known as Metropolitan Oakland International Airport, is a public airport located south of the central business district of Oakland, a city in Alameda County, California, United States...
, women in aviation, and notable flyers like the Tuskegee Airmen
Tuskegee Airmen
The Tuskegee Airmen is the popular name of a group of African American pilots who fought in World War II. Formally, they were the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps....
. In the museum's collection are the sister ship of Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
's Lockheed Model 10 Electra
Lockheed Model 10 Electra
The Lockheed Model 10 Electra was a twin-engine, all-metal monoplane airliner developed by the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in the 1930s to compete with the Boeing 247 and Douglas DC-2...
, and the "flying boat" used in the film Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raiders of the Lost Ark is a 1981 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by George Lucas, and starring Harrison Ford. It is the first film in the Indiana Jones franchise...
.
Reuther was particularly knowledgeable about flight pioneer Amelia Earhart. He was fascinated by the circumstances of Earhart's disappearance and was an active member of the worldwide Amelia Earhart Society. Reuther organized four of the society's conferences in the Bay Area, and lectured about the subject at educational institutions. In 2002, Reuther organized a gathering in Oakland, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and led a tour of places Earhart had visited before her final flight in 1937.
Reuther was also a member of the Northern California
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
Chapter of the Explorers Club, and served as its president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
from 1989 to 1995.
Ronald Theodore Reuther died on October 4, 2007 of colon cancer.