April 13, 2023
Ruberta Harwell Weaver, wife of former University of Missouri System President John C. Weaver, passed away on March 29. She was 106 years old.
Ruberta Harwell Weaver served as first lady of the UM System from 1966–70. During this time, the MU Research Reactor was completed and Norm Stewart became the men's basketball head coach.
In 2020, Tom and Karen Weaver established a faculty fellowship for the College of Education and Human Development in honor of their parents.
“My parents loved their time at Mizzou, believing that it was in a prime position as a great university — in one of the most diverse and important states — to lead the advancement of higher education,” Tom Weaver said. “Following their belief that it is the faculty that makes a university great, we created the fellowship in their honor to support the faculty. My parents worked as a team, with Mom being known as a tireless hostess and ambassador for Mizzou.”
Ruberta Harwell Weaver is survived by her sons Andy (Roly) of Austin, Texas, and Tom (Karen) of Columbia; granddaughters Cynthia Weaver Henzl (Lance) of Fort Worth, Texas, and Carrie Weaver of Columbia; great-grandchildren John and James Henzl, and Hannah and Elijah Weaver. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, John C. Weaver (1915–95).
