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Still Serving in Defense of the Nation

Ruth C. Corning September 24, 1936 - June 8, 2018 Defense Intelligence Officer Ruth Corning, 81, an intelligence officer who retired in 1991 from the Defense Intelligence Agency, died June 8 at her home in Lexington, KY, following a long battle with cancer. Mrs. Corning, who lived in Arlington, Virginia, for 52 years, graduated from Cass Technical High School in Detroit, where she developed her skills as an artist. She met and married her husband, Lloyd N. "Jack' Corning in 1958 in Detroit. Her artistic skills were key as she was one of the first intelligence officers hired at the newly formed Defense Intelligence Agency in 1961. During her 36 year career with the DIA, Corning played an instrumental role in the creation and publication of Soviet Military Power, a major public diplomacy document distributed during the Cold War. Her work included compiling and editing photos and maps, as well as assisting in the creation of detailed paintings of Soviet military hardware and installations. For her work on Soviet Military Power, Corning was recognized with several awards and commendations by Secretaries of Defense Robert McNamara and Caspar Weinberger. Her husband Jack was also employed at the agency. After her retirement, Corning became an active member of the arts community of Washington, DC and Northern Virginia. In 1977, her work toured across the country as part of the "Artists Company Exhibition of Recent Work by: Nine from Washington, DC,' funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Her last exhibition was hosted in 2013 by The Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, where she was a member of Printmakers, Inc. and Discover Graphics Atelier. She also participated in PandaMania in 2004, co-creating "Bamboo Bear I' with friend and fellow artist Juan Bernal. Ruth is predeceased by her husband, Lloyd N. "Jack' Corning, and her sister, Gladys Viecelli. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Sheridan of Madison, Wisconsin, her sister, Janet Brow, and a grandson, Christopher Sheridan (Shelly). A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, most likely this coming Spring in the DC area.  We will let you know once the details are available.


https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?fhid=8238&n=ruth-corning&pid=189376394

Defense Intel Alumni Association
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