Ted Bonnitt

As one of the lucky ones, I was flown 3000 miles to be yelled at by Ruth. 

I was working on NPR’s “HEAT with John Hockenberry.” As a supporting partner of the show, Ruth was not happy that her guidance was not being properly respected by some prominent members of the New York staff. She was threatening to pull the plug on a week of programming based out of KCRW for the LA Arts Festival that HEAT was planning. I was asked to go to LA and help manage the issue.

Not knowing Ruth, I had no idea about what was coming when picked up at the airport and brought directly to Ruth’s office where she was standing in front of her desk, apparently waiting for me. 

Will Lewis wisely stood to the side and slightly behind Ruth as we exchanged pleasantries and before she sharply rebuked HEAT’s conduct toward her and KCRW. Trying to size up the moment during her pummeling, I wondered if Will was her consigliere. As time wore on his expression softened toward me, likely out of pity.

After a few long minutes, Ruth stopped and asked, “Well? Tell me why I shouldn’t cancel your week of programming at KCRW and send you all home?”

The show went on, of course. And Ruth and I began a long (albeit distant) friendship. She gave me a home to get my start in radio programming in LA when I moved from NY. Even when she made it clear that she did not like some of our shows, she never interfered or withdrew her welcome.

I last saw her about ten years ago walking in our Ocean Park neighborhood. We had lunch and dished about all the eccentrics we worked with over the years in public radio. We shared a lot of laughs that day, and I found Ruth at peace with retirement.

Ruth was a force of nature that changed my life for the better. I will fondly remember her.