The University deeply regrets to report the death of Baroness Ruth Henig on 29 February 2024 aged 80, after an exceptionally full and distinguished career at Lancaster and in public service. The University extends its sincere condolences to all members of her family and friends.

Ruth’s parents fled Nazi Germany and were married in Holland, whence they made a dramatic escape in an open lifeboat. They were interned on the Isle of Man, and in 1942 settled in Leicester, where Ruth was born and went to school. She was awarded a First in History at Bedford College, University of London in 1965, and married Stanley Henig in 1966, four days before the General Election at which Stanley became M.P. for Lancaster. They had two sons, Simon and David, and lived at Roeburn House in Wray.

Ruth was appointed as assistant lecturer in History at Lancaster in 1968, and awarded a Lancaster Ph.D. in 1978. Unsurprisingly, both her teaching and publications focused on the politics and conflicts of 20^th century Europe, including a book on the League of Nations. She was a co-founder and co-author in the Lancaster History Pamphlets project, a college tutor for Furness College, an early recipient of a Pilkington Teaching Award, and was some-time Dean of Arts and Humanities. She retired as senior lecturer from Lancaster in 2004 and became one of its first Honorary Fellows two years later. She and Stanley were divorced in 1993, and she subsequently married Jack Johnson, her bridge partner for the previous ten years.

Ruth’s public service spanned local, regional and national affairs. In Lancaster she was a governor of several schools. chair of governors at Lancaster Adult College and Central Lancaster High School, and chair of the board of the Duke’s Playhouse. She stood twice for election as a Labour member of Parliament, in 1976 and 1992, coming close to winning on the second occasion, and was a Lancashire County Councillor for Lancaster East from 1981 onwards, and chair of LCC from 1999 to 2000. Her range of leading roles steadily increased and included becoming the chair of the Lancashire Police Authority in 1987. She was a magistrate at different periods for both the criminal and family courts.

She was made a life peer after retiring from the university and specialised particularly in policing and security bodies, including as president of the Association of Police Authorities and chair of the Security Industry Authority. In 2015 she also became a Deputy Speaker in the House of Lords.

She remained loyal to Lancaster and its interests, including as its ambassador for its development and fundraising, and she is remembered with affection and gratitude for all that she achieved and her commitment to the institutions she served.

Nick Fragel, Director of Philanthropy, Alumni & Supporter Engagement, commented: "My team and I had the good fortune to work frequently with Ruth on alumni and fundraising events, and we are very deeply saddened by her passing. She was a wonderful supporter of all things Lancaster. Above all, though, she was a politician of the highest integrity, who combined a strong sense of duty with a passionate commitment to service. In an age when these qualities are all too rare, she will be missed."

Marion McClintock