Robert C. Ruiz Papers, PC.2014
Abstract
Robert Charles Ruiz (b. 1929) was born in Oteen, Buncombe County, N.C., to Cipriano
Nilo and Elsie M. (Brown) Ruiz (1893-1984). He trained as an x-ray technician, working
as early as 1947 and thereafter in that capacity with the Tuberculosis Section of
the N.C. State Board of Health, headquartered in Raleigh. By the late 1940s Ruiz was
involved in a state-wide survey that utilized mobile x-ray units travelling to all
counties within the state, part of an effort to eradicate tuberculosis in North Carolina.
In 1951 Ruiz enlisted for service in U.S. Army Medical Corps, and until 1953 he served
in mobile army surgical hospital (MASH) units. Following his honorable discharge,
Ruiz returned to North Carolina and worked with the board of health in Raleigh.
The papers reflect the civilian work of Ruiz in the fields of photography and chest
x-ray technology, ca. late 1940s to early 1960s, and his service in the U.S. Army
Medical Corps, 1951-1953, in mobile army surgical hospital (MASH) units, from Fort
Meade, Md., Camp Pickett, Va., to Korea. His personal correspondence is primarily
with family members. Photographs, slides, and scrapbooks reflect Ruiz's interests
in subjects such as political figures, Hurricane Hazel, travel, colleagues, and friends.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Robert C. Ruiz Papers
- Call Number
- PC.2014
- Creator
- Ruiz, Robert C.
- Date
- 1940-1960
- Extent
- 4.00 cubic feet
- Language
- English
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item] in PC.2014, Robert C. Ruiz Papers, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, N.C., U.S.A.
Collection Overview
The Ruiz papers reflect his personal, military, and professional work and interests,
including photography and work as an x-ray technician with the Tuberculosis Section
of the N.C. State Board of Health (circa 1940s-early 1960s), centered primarily in
Raleigh, N.C., and its statewide survey. The latter consisted of mobile tuberculosis
x-ray units traveling about the state in a concerted effort of the state board and
county health departments to detect and ultimately eradicate tuberculosis in the state.
The papers also document Robert C. Ruiz's service in U.S. Army Medical Corps, 1951-1953
in mobile army surgical hospital (MASH) units, from Fort Meade, Md., Camp Pickett,
Va., to Korea.
Materials include correspondence primarily with family; greetings cards; scrapbook
and five photo albums containing a variety of materials in addition to photographs,
and negatives, such as personal and official army correspondence, clippings, church
bulletins; postcards, photocopies of pocket diary; negatives; slides; printed materials;
loose materials of the type contained in albums; a Korean maps; ephemera and miscellaneous
materials, with dates ranging ca. 1949-2010, with the bulk from the early 1950s. Additionally,
a small quantity of World War I and World War II materials, photocopies and two items
of correspondence, 1918, and two v-mail letters, 1944.
Overview of the correspondence series, 1918-2010, and undated: This series includes
letters written by serveral different correspondents, but the bulk of the correspondence
is that of Robert Ruiz written to family members in the Asheville area, particularly
his mother, Elsie M. Brown Ruiz. Of these, most of the letters were written during
the period, 1951-1953, while Ruiz was with the United States Army, MASH unit, primarily
stationed in Korea. Early correspondence is found in Box PC.2014.1, Folder 1, in the
category of World War I Letters, 1918. Two letters were written by John E. Melton,
of Dysartville, N.C., to Miss Annie [Logan] Brown, a sister of the mother of Robert
Ruiz. Melton was with Company I, 324 Reg. Infantry, 81 Division, American Expeditionary
Forces (AEF), France. Annie Brown (1898-1983) eventually married Richard Valentine
Nicely. There is one letter written to Miss Brown from Zeb Holder, with Company B.,
105. M.P., AEF, France.
The collection of papers also includes a scrapbook, five photo albums containing a
variety of materials in addition to photographs, and negatives, such as personal and
official army correspondence, clippings, church bulletins; postcards, photocopies
of pocket diary; also a scrapbook and large photo from his days working with the Tuberculosis
Section of the N.C. State Board of Health (circa 1940s-1960); and over 500 items consisting
of slides, negatives, but also miscellaneous items such as a map and other materials,
and memorabilia such as pocket guides, booklets, baggage tickets, ID tags, placards
and signs.
Biographical/Historical note
Contents of the Collection
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Gift of Robert C. Ruiz, 2010.