Family searches for lost painting to preserve grandmother’s legacy

KINGSTON, Mo. (KQTV)-- Samantha Bingham lost her grandmother, Ruth, to cancer in 2008.  

Although Samantha only knew her grandmother until she was eight years old, Ruth Herr’s love of painting has stayed with her throughout the years. 

“I am just really interested to learn more about her and her paintings. We would visit often to St. Joe, and it was always a really good time,” Bingham said.  

Now, Bingham is searching for one of her grandmother’s most treasured possessions: one of Ruth’s oil paintings. 

Bingham remembers her grandmother as funny, relaxed and someone who was always great to be around.  

“She liked being outside, so whenever I would give her a hug, she would always be tan and sweaty,” Bingham joked.  

For Bingham, finding one of Ruth’s paintings would mean more than simply owning a piece of artwork. It would be a piece of family history and a way to preserve something she knows her family will cherish for years to come. 

She also wants her children to know about their great-grandmother and the legacy she left behind. Bingham’s oldest daughter is even named after Ruth. 

Bingham has done some artwork herself over the years, although she eventually stepped away from it. Her husband, however, continues to paint and create artwork. 

Bingham said she reached out to two art museums in St. Joseph to see if they could help locate one of Ruth’s paintings.  

“I reached out to two art museums in St. Joe. They ran through the catalogues on their computer to see if they can find the painting, but they didn’t have anything,” Bingham said.  

Ruth’s daughter, Jennifer Herr, also remembers her mother as a dedicated and talented artist.  

“She has been an artist for as long as I can remember growing up, and I had seen her paint many paintings,” Herr said.  

Some of Herr’s fondest memories of her mother include cooking, working in the yard, her creativity, her talent and her strong work ethic.  

That work ethic, Herr said, was partly shaped by Ruth’s time as a Navy veteran. 

Both Herr and her brothers were inspired by their mother to join the military.  

“She didn’t let any dust settle under her feet. She was always go-go-go. She was a tough mom, but she was an amazing role model,” she said.  

Herr was deployed to Iraq when she learned that her mother was terminally ill. She returned home and helped care for Ruth until she passed away. 

She said watching her mother’s illness progress was especially difficult.  

“It really hits home, and we miss her. It's been 20 years, but we still do,” Herr added.  

Now, Herr and Bingham are hoping to find one particular painting that they believe could help bring a piece of Ruth back to the family. 

The painting they are searching for features the profile of a Native American chief wearing a full headdress. Behind the chief is the profile of a brown horse, with the horse positioned on the back side of the chief. 

For Herr and Bingham, finding the painting would be a meaningful way to reconnect with Ruth’s art and preserve her memory for future generations.