Mabel E. Rugen, professor emeritus of public health and education, died Oct. 15

ANN ARBOR—Mabel E. Rugen, professor emeritus of public health and education at the University of Michigan, died at her Ann Arbor home Oct. 15. She was 96.

Rugen, who taught at the U-M for 40 years, until her retirement in 1970, is considered a trailblazer in the area of public health education. She was highly regarded in the field of public health education and was often called upon for her expertise and opinion by other public health educators, said friend and colleague Lillian Ostrand, professor emeritus of public health nursing.

“Perhaps her greatest contribution was in public health education. She was in charge of the program at the School of Public Health for many years. Many public health educators throughout the United States today either had her as a teacher or had known her through professional association,” Ostrand said.

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Upon her retirement, the U-M Regents said: “Dr. Rugen was a vigorous and effective teacher, establishing a fine rapport with her students while exercising her natural authority in her field.”

Her honors included distinguished service awards in school health, health education and public health; a doctor of law degree from Central Michigan University and honorary memberships to many organizations.

In 1992, in honor of her 90th birthday, the U-M School of Public Health created the Mabel E. Rugen Fund for Health Education. The fund is used to support young researchers and doctoral students and to further interdisciplinary studies in health education.

Funeral arrangements for Rugen are being handled by Muehlig Funeral Chapel, Ann Arbor. Services will take place in Glenview, Ill. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mabel Rugen Fund, in care of the U-M School of Public Health.

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