RIP Ruth Silverman - Writer, Editor - Ironman Magazine

[Ron]

Since i started photography, writing and even before this website, a few people have been there since the beginning.  One was Ruth Silverman, who was with Ironman Magazine for years before it stopped publication, and also Flex Magazine and who was a writer, editor and friend.  Sad to hear she passed away. RIP Ruth.   Not many here would of known her, but to a few of us, thank you for all of the memories and good times we had. From the first Fit Expo, to all of the Ironman Pro Contests, through many contests, she was around way back.

Ron


From Dave Liberman:

RIP RUTH SILVERMAN. This has truly been a rough week as I learned today former Editor of Iron Man Magazine, Ruth Silverman has passed away. Not only was she an industry great, she was a personal friend who’ll be enormously missed. I’ve know “Ruthless” Ruth (perfect nickname Iron Man’s Lonnie Teper penned her eons ago) over half my life. In fact, thanks to Lonnie, I became close with the entire Iron Man crew and Ruth was one of those people I bonded with instantly. Most important I’ve been a personal friend of her’s and she will be forever missed by me.  I’m so fortunate to have seen her one last time at Lonnie’s NPC WEST COAST CLASSIC when we all had dinner the night prior to the contest and experienced the amazing Sunday brunch at the world world renowned  “Mission Inn” in Riverside, CA.

I remember being in LA one month earlier for a music fest and was debating if I should skip the next trip. After discussing this in length with LT, we both came to the conclusion that time with loved ones is something never to be taken for granted as there very well may not be a “next year.” This was sadly the case with Ruth’s passing and I can honestly say I don’t regret a thing and thank God we made the right choice to head back to California.
As I sit here recovering from knee replacement surgery this past Tuesday I feel eternally grateful that I experienced all the many wonderful memories with great friends. I had no idea that this past June would be the last time I see Ruth but I’m certainly glad that did. My deepest and most sincere condolences to all of Ruth Silberman’s friends & family. You’re going to be tremendously missed my friend.

[unreasonablereasons]

RIP Ruth

[Ron]

Some others

Nancy Noreman -  Very Sad News… My Dear Friend & Veteran Bodybuilding Editor/Reporter Ruth Silverman has passed away.   met Ruth many years ago in the 1990’s … But I became much closer with her in the last 10 years - especially after doing the FitnessView together & working at Digital Muscle with her. I just spoke to her about the Olympia - we , of course argued about placings, and of course - Ruth knew more of the current competitor’s names than I did!!  I will deeply miss my long time , loyal and dear friend - What a tremendous loss for the sport and definitely leaving a hole in my heart 💔


Garry Bartlett - What a shock Dave. Ruth was one of a kind, special in her own way, and no one was more passionate than her in defending her opinions and views. Always friendly, she was a genuine caring person. I always enjoyed connecting with her at every major show where she sat next to us in the press pit. It is sobering and sad to lose another one of our Bodybuilding journalist alumni.


Ron Harris - I am so sorry to hear this. I was lucky enough to know Ruth a little bit. Thanks to our mutual work for Iron Man magazine. she was funny, brassy, and one hell of a writer. Our little running joke over the years is that she would continue to call me Iron Teen well into my 40’s. I will miss Ruth.


Gretchen Saaduddin - She was my best friend in the industry. After COVID (and my vax dissent) she withdrew from me. She did not want to hear about my and my bosses' disputes with Fauci, which was unlike her really incisive inquiring mind. Then I was told by a mutual friend that she had not been feeling well, with no explanation. I hope she is now in Heaven taking copious notes on or bodybuilding friends we lost recently. Actually, there are more there than here these days. I missed Lonnie's last show for the first time. But the last time I went, we hung out together the entire time, and it was a happy blessing after the death of my Dad. I will miss her so much. Every show I ask "have you seen Ruth yet"? Nobody asks "Ruth who?", as we all know and love her! I am so sad to hear this news! RIP Ruthless!


Ruth Silverman, Worked at Ironman Magazine from September 1988 to January 2015 (26 years).  Also worked as Editor-in-Chief at Flex Magazine in the early 1980s.


This picture, taken by Ron Avidan, is June Monroe, Lonnie Teper, and Ruth Silverman

[wes]

I knew of her.

RIP

[dj181]

Since i started photography, writing and even before this website, a few people have been there since the beginning.  One was Ruth Silverman, who was with Ironman Magazine for years before it stopped publication, and who was a writer, editor and friend.  Sad to hear she passed away. RIP Ruth.  Not many here would of known her, but to a few of us, thank you for all of the memories and good times we had. From the first Fit Expo, to all of the Ironman Pro Contests, through many contests, she was around way back.

Ron


From Dave Liberman:

RIP RUTH SILVERMAN. This has truly been a rough week as I learned today former Editor of Iron Man Magazine, Ruth Silverman has passed away. Not only was she an industry great, she was a personal friend who’ll be enormously missed. I’ve know “Ruthless” Ruth (perfect nickname Iron Man’s Lonnie Teper penned her eons ago) over half my life. In fact, thanks to Lonnie, I became close with the entire Iron Man crew and Ruth was one of those people I bonded with instantly. Most important I’ve been a personal friend of her’s and she will be forever missed by me.  I’m so fortunate to have seen her one last time at Lonnie’s NPC WEST COAST CLASSIC when we all had dinner the night prior to the contest and experienced the amazing Sunday brunch at the world world renowned  “Mission Inn” in Riverside, CA.

I remember being in LA one month earlier for a music fest and was debating if I should skip the next trip. After discussing this in length with LT, we both came to the conclusion that time with loved ones is something never to be taken for granted as there very well may not be a “next year.” This was sadly the case with Ruth’s passing and I can honestly say I don’t regret a thing and thank God we made the right choice to head back to California.
As I sit here recovering from knee replacement surgery this past Tuesday I feel eternally grateful that I experienced all the many wonderful memories with great friends. I had no idea that this past June would be the last time I see Ruth but I’m certainly glad that did. My deepest and most sincere condolences to all of Ruth Silberman’s friends & family. You’re going to be tremendously missed my friend.

Sorry for your loss 😔

[Never1AShow]

PIP, Bodybuilding writers are a rare and special breed.

[oldtimer1]

Sorry to hear about this. Her touch was all over Ironman magazine.

[BEEFCAKE]

Ruth Silverman and Ron Avidan are the Sam Bankman-Fried/Caroline Ellison of bodybuilding

[Humble Narcissist]

Great magazine. RIP to Ruth.

[herne]

[Fortress]

Know of her and might have met her.

Still, a name in our industry.

RIP

[BB]

Sad, I remember her from the time I had an Ironman subscription. She and Lonnie covered what was Steve Neece's beat at MMI, gossip and industry goings on. Ruth mainly wrote about the girls end, while Lonnie covered the men, and sometimes they intersected. She was a very good writer. RIP.

[Ron]

From Lonnie Teper...

I HAVE LOST A SPECIAL FRIEND

It's been four days since I got the news, and I'm having trouble focusing. Saturday was a beautiful, brisk, sunny Southern California afternoon and I was looking forward to celebrating Elsa Escobar's birthday at Taylor's Steak House in La Canada. Then the brightness turned to gloom as the sudden passing of Ruth Silverman made its way through the fitness industry. A couple of sources said Ruth died from a "brain bleed", which may have resulted from a recent fall. although I don't have that verified.

This is almost like losing a sister. We were teammates at IRONMAN Magazine for nearly 30 years. For the most part, I covered the men, she followed the women. she was also my Editor, who must have gotten very tired writing me each month asking "will your manuscript be coming soon?". That manuscript was "News and Views", not only the most difficult to pen each issue but the toughest to edit as well. The piece also included two to four "Rising Stars".

Actually, we paired up before Ruth joined the IRONMAN staff in 1987 or 1988. She was the Editor at FLEX Magazine at the time, and she was desperately in need of a Mike Christian interview slated for the next issue. Ruth asked if I could do it. I really didn't have the time, but could see this was important to her, so I set up an interview with Mike the next day, spent most  of the night completing it and the problem was solved.
Eventually Ruth joined our staff and from then on my articles went to her for IRONMAN. For the next 28 years actually.

We became the contest reporting team from 1987-2015, and traveled all over the country during that time giving our words eye view of all the major IFBB and NPC events. On video as well. Ruth was a sharp lady. She was raised in Pittsburgh, and got her degree from prestigious Northwestern University. But not in Journalism. In Theater Arts. Excellent writer, outstanding editor, passionate about her views on more than industry happenings. Did we argue about things? Of course. But it never interfered in our friendship. It did. however, earn her my moniker of "Ruthless Ruth". In a good way.

I hired Ruth to cover my NPC West Coast Classic each June, where she roomed with another June--as in Munroe. Quite a talented tandem! Unfortunately, I hadn't talked to her since the last WCC and for that I have regrets. I knew she was having some health issues over the past few years, and shared with me what she was enduring. Never complained, just explained. I was fortunate to know her, and I'm sad that she's gone. She was special in so many ways. Having a kind heart was her best trait. Ruthless Ruth, gone but never forgotten!