English Expat At Home in Los Altos

If you want to reach Ruth Buneman, you probably won’t catch her at home at The Terraces at Los Altos. This English expatriate has places to go and people to see.

“I’m not really good at sitting still,” she admits.

Buneman is originally from Halesowen, England, and reluctantly moved to California in 1960 when her husband, Oscar, joined the faculty at Stanford University.

“I didn’t want to do it, but, on the other hand, I wanted to be with my husband and two young children,” she recalls. “So, you make the change. And you adjust. Gradually.”

Before long, though, she began to feel at home, and helped her husband design and build the house where they lived for more than 30 years.

As a registered nurse, Buneman used her science background to help others. She taught childbirth and first-aid classes through the Red Cross, and volunteered at the Veterans Hospital and Planned Parenthood. Throughout her adult life, she has helped teach and comfort, and has worked to improve the lives of those around her.

At The Terraces at Los Altos, Buneman is a past president of the resident council and still works to promote healthy living at the Los Altos, Calif., continuing care retirement community. She was integral in launching Masterpiece Living, the leading-edge program promoting social, intellectual and physical well-being at ABHOW's CCRCs.

Even now – at, as she puts it, “only 82” – Buneman remains very active. Many things she enjoys doing focus on passing her love of the outdoors to others. For the past 20 years, she has volunteered at Hidden Villa, a nonprofit organic farm, where she gives tours to elementary school students. She also volunteers at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, where she guides college students on hikes.

The community has deeply appreciated Buneman’s contributions. She was recently honored at the Los Altos-Los Altos Hills Joint Community Service Awards luncheon for her lifelong commitment to helping others.

Whether it’s volunteering, swimming laps four times a week, biking or visiting neighbors, Buneman thrives on staying busy and connected with others. “You can retire and do nothing, but to me, retirement brings opportunities to reach out and do things,” she says.

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