Miss Ruth Elizabeth Becker

Who was Ruth Elizabeth Becker?

Ruth Elizabeth Becker was a 12 (twelve) year-old American passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on October 28, 1899, in Guntur, India, Ruth was the eldest child of Lutheran missionary parents. Her remarkable story of survival and later life made her a notable figure in Titanic history.

Early Life and Missionary Roots

A Childhood in India

Ruth Elizabeth Becker was born to Allen Oliver Becker, a Lutheran pastor from Michigan, and Nellie Elizabeth Baumgardner, an Ohio native. Her parents had married on September 20, 1898, and shortly after moved to India for missionary work. Ruth spent her early years in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, where her father served as a missionary.

Siblings and Family Life

Ruth had three younger siblings:

Luther Allen (1905-1907)
Marion Louise Becker
Richard F. Becker

Tragically, her brother Luther passed away at a young age. In early 1912, Richard fell ill, prompting the family’s decision to return to the United States for better medical care.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why did the Beckers board the Titanic?

The Becker family boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, as second-class passengers. Their ticket (number 230136) cost £39, a significant sum at the time. Ruth’s mother, Nellie E. Becker, had reservations about the voyage but was reassured by the purser about the ship’s safety.

Ruth’s Experience on Board

During the voyage, Ruth:

Looked after her younger siblings
Explored the ship’s various public rooms
Marveled at the beauty and newness of the vessel

She later recalled how everything on the Titanic was “brand new and sparkling.”

The Night of the Disaster

How did Ruth survive the sinking?

On the night of April 14, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg, the Becker family’s lives changed forever. Here’s how the events unfolded for Ruth:

Mrs. Becker gathered her children and headed to the upper decks.
They waited in a public room before climbing to a higher deck.
Ruth was sent to retrieve blankets due to the cold.
Before she could return, her mother and younger siblings were placed in Lifeboat 11.
Ruth calmly approached Lifeboat 13 and was lifted aboard by a crewman.

From her lifeboat, Ruth witnessed the horrifying final moments of the Titanic, seeing passengers still on deck and others jumping into the freezing ocean.

Aftermath and Reunion

What happened to Ruth after the rescue?

Ruth was rescued by the Carpathia and spent anxious hours searching for her family. Eventually, a woman approached her, confirming her identity and reuniting her with her mother. Ruth also observed the heartbreaking scene of women desperately watching for loved ones who would never arrive.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic experience shape Ruth’s life?

Following the disaster:

Ruth’s father joined the family in America in 1913.
By 1920, they were living in Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio.
Ruth graduated from Wooster College and became a teacher.
On June 2, 1924, she married Daniel Small Blanchard, a former classmate.
They had three children: Jeanne, Roger Allen, and Richard.
Ruth and Daniel divorced after over twenty years of marriage.

For many years, Ruth avoided discussing her Titanic experience. It wasn’t until her retirement and move to Santa Barbara, California in 1971 that she began opening up about her ordeal.

Ruth’s Later Years and Legacy

How did Ruth contribute to Titanic history?

In her later years, Ruth became more involved in preserving Titanic history:

Attended Titanic Historical Society conventions in the 1980s
Gave frequent interviews about her experiences
Formed close friendships with Titanic historians and other survivors
Advocated for leaving the Titanic wreck undisturbed after its 1985 discovery
Supported displaying retrieved artifacts in museums

“The wreck should be left alone,” Ruth stated firmly after the Titanic’s discovery in 1985.

Ruth’s Final Journey

In a poignant twist of fate, Ruth took her first ocean voyage since the Titanic in 1990, embarking on a cruise to Mexico. Shortly after, on July 6, 1990, Ruth Becker Blanchard passed away at the age of 90 (ninety). In a fitting tribute, her ashes were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean over the site where the Titanic had sunk, bringing her remarkable life journey full circle.

Learn more about Titanic survivors