Rita J. Ashcraft, a professor emeritus at Northern Arizona University, died Nov. 9, 2010, in Warner Robins, Ga. She was 75.
Born in Lyons, Kansas, on Oct. 4, 1935, she was the seventh of eight children.
She held two bachelor’s degrees from Fort Hays University in Kansas, a master’s degree from MacMurray College in Illinois, and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa.
Her career in higher education spanned more than 40 years. She taught at Cornell College and Sacramento State University before coming to NAU in 1971 and teaching physical education for 25 years until her retirement in 1995.
Dr. Ashcraft is survived by her partner of 22 years, Deb Codding; one brother; four adopted children, and four grandchildren.