RUTH SHECHTER

September 7, 1921 - June 23, 2018

Ruth Shechter, 96, of Overland Park, KS, passed away June 23, 2018 in her home at Village Shalom. Ruth was born in Chicago where she met her future husband, Nathan Shechter. They were married for 65 years until his death in 2007. As a Commissioner on the Kansas Commission on Civil Rights, Ruth worked tirelessly for adoption of the Kansas civil rights act, including equal and affordable housing in the Kansas City region. She was a member of several civil rights groups, including the Shawnee Mission Housing Council, which campaigned against housing discrimination, the Fairview Neighborhood Council in Olathe, providing Home Evaluation & Rehab to fight against urban renewal problems. She co-created the Greater KC Housing Information Center, pioneering the provision of housing counseling in Kansas City. She was a long standing member of Shawmet Homes, developing Parvin Estates, and served on the board of the Metropolitan Energy Center. With long time friend Al Brooks they created the KCMO Human Relations Department. And, she helped establish the national Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation/NeighborWorks America’s Neighborhood Housing Services network. Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, Nathan, brother Seymour Gates, sister-in-law Edith, Nathan’s brother, Jack, and son-in-law Tim Lankford. She is survived by her children Jerry & wife Jennifer Logan, David & wife Gayle, Victoria, Judi, 5 grandchildren and 4 spouses, 8 great-grandchildren, 3 great, great-grandchildren and nephew, Floyd. The family would like to thank Management of Village Shalom for years of support. Funeral services will be Friday, June 29, 2018 at 11:00 am at The Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64131. Cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Rose Brooks Center or Planned Parenthood of KC.