Editorial: Remarkable legacy left by Deskin

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004 | 9:43 a.m.

Ruthe Deskin, one of Nevada journalism's modern-day pioneers, died on Saturday. She was assistant to the publisher of the Las Vegas Sun for almost 50 years, first to Hank Greenspun, who died in 1989, and then to his widow, Barbara Greenspun. When Ruthe came to the Sun in the 1950s, Nevada, and the nation, was a much different place than it is today. She was Hank Greenspun's right-hand "man" in an era when it was uncommon to find women in positions of power.

Ruthe, born 87 years ago in the Northern Nevada town of Yerington, almost never made it to the Sun. Hank Greenspun originally offered her $50 a week to join but she refused, finally telling him that she would do it for $100 -- a princely sum back then in journalism. To her surprise, she got the job at her asking price. Hank definitely got his money's worth as Ruthe was instrumental in the Sun's rise as an important voice in Las Vegas, a newspaper that wasn't afraid to take on institutions and people that were out of line or, worse, corrupt.

Her backbone was essential to her success in journalism, but Ruthe's gentleness and kindness also shouldn't be forgotten. She tirelessly sought to help children who had been abused and neglected, and she was key to the founding of Child Haven, Clark County's home for displaced children. And, in 1970, Ruthe helped establish the Sun Camp Fund, which has enabled thousands of children -- from families with low incomes, foster children and those with disabilities -- to attend a summer camp who otherwise wouldn't have the ability to do so. She also co-founded the Sun Youth Forum during the 1950s, the annual gathering that still brings together high school students to discuss the issues of the day.

Her writing style, found in the columns she penned, was straightforward. Ruthe's columns also didn't resemble the scorched-earth type of commentary found all too frequently in today's journalism. Nonetheless, because she was so respected, if she said something was wrong, people took note -- and acted. Sen. Harry Reid -- one of the most powerful men in the U.S. Senate -- credited a column written in 2000 by Deskin, criticizing him for not disclosing those who were funding his political action committee, as prodding him to reverse his position. "I didn't want Ruthe to be disappointed in me," he said about his subsequent decision to reveal the funding sources even though legally he wasn't required to do so.

Ruthe led an incredibly rich life, one where she excelled at nearly every endeavor. She was a great athlete, having made the all-state girls' basketball team while a player at Yerington High School. Her love for basketball, and baseball as well, didn't fade over time. Deskin, a diehard UNLV Rebels basketball fan, would surprise newcomer reporters with her knowledge of both college and professional basketball, easily conversing on such intricacies as teams that excelled at using a triangle offense. And while Ruthe took her job seriously, she had a great sense of humor and understood that journalism was but just one part of her life. Her family came first and, luckily for her co-workers, she treated the Sun as her extended family.

It also was endearing that Ruthe's values didn't change over time. In one of the last columns she wrote, on Nov. 20, 2003, she wondered aloud whether there were others who considered singer Britney Spears' latest release as being "near pornographic." Ruthe went on to conclude: "There was a time when Spears' kind of entertainment would have been confined to the brothels. Today she has, unfortunately, become a role model for many impressionable young teenagers. How sad."

It's hard to imagine what the Sun would have been like if Ruthe hadn't said yes to Hank Greenspun's job offer almost 50 years ago. What we do know is that the paper's employees and, more importantly, the people of Southern Nevada are far richer for her service and dedication in making Las Vegas a better city and a real community.