CUKC announces passing of former administrator

It is with great sadness that Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) shares the loss of a long-time member of its University family. Dr. Ruth Sandefur passed away on Sept. 15, at her home in Florida. A tireless supporter of the chiropractic profession, she was an alumna who was a practitioner, educator, researcher, administrator and treasured friend to many.

A 1967 graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College-Kansas City, Sandefur along with her husband and classmate, Dr. Al Sandefur, opened a private practice in Leavenworth, Kan. They had two children, Danny, and Dr. David Sandefur, a 1996 Cleveland graduate.

In 1983, Sandefur returned to her alma mater to pursue a career in education. She began as an associate professor of diagnosis, and over the next 23 years served the institution as associate research director and later, academic dean, before retiring in 2010 as vice president for academic affairs.

Following her retirement, Sandefur frequently returned to campus to work on special projects in the Cleveland archives. She served as Historical Collections Associate from 2012 until her death. For more than 50 years, hers was a life dedicated to chiropractic. Her passing is a tremendous loss for the University and the profession as a whole.

CUKC is live-streaming a Celebration of Life Service for Dr. Ruth Sandefur on the University’s Facebook page at @clevelandunivkc on Saturday, October 17, 2020 beginning at 11:30 a.m. The live-stream video will be accessible online after the event.

For friends and colleagues who would like to remember Sandefur, the family has asked for contributions to be directed to the Sandefur Family Research Scholarship at CUKC. Please visit cleveland.edu/give and type “Sandefur Family Research Scholarship” in the comment box on the contribution form. Contributions including the memo, “Sandefur Family Research Scholarship” can also be mailed to:

The Cleveland College Foundation Fund Inc.
10850 Lowell Avenue
Overland Park, KS 6210