Rusk, Richard Wells

Richard Wells Rusk, 97, of Blacksburg, died on Friday, August 23, 2013, at his home. Richard was born in Baltimore, Md., on March 2, 1916, to his parents, Edward Gaul Rusk and Lenora Wells Rusk. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 46 years, Thelma Weiler Rusk; his parents; and his sisters, Katharine Gaul Rusk and Lenora Rusk Fleming. He is survived by nieces, Kimberly Weiler and Alberta Weiler Shoulders; and nephew, Jeffrey Keith Weiler. Early in his marriage these three children came to live in the Rusk home due to the untimely death of their mother. He is also survived by nephews, Philip Fleming and Lawrence Fleming, and niece, Katharine Fleming Russler. In 1924 he moved with his family to Winchester, Va., where he entered the third grade. He graduated from the Handley High School in the Class of 1934. In college he earned two degrees from Lehigh University, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1938 and a Master of Science, major physics in 1949. He was employed as a chemist at the Shenandoah Valley Apple Cider and Vinegar Corporation and as an analytical chemist for the Central Laboratories of General Foods Corporation. In 1949 he joined the faculty of Virginia Tech in the Physics Department retiring in 1982 as associate professor and assistant department head. In retirement, he and his wife enjoyed their home and took numerous cruises on inland waterways in the United States, Canada and Europe. He was a Boy Scout as a youth and also served on a Boy Scout troop committee as an adult. He was an active member of the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church serving as elder, deacon and librarian. He was a member of the Blacksburg Sports Club, the Faculty Bowling League and the United States Metric Association with a rating of Certified Metrication Specialist. As a resident of Showalter at Warm Hearth since 2005, he did much to raise awareness regarding energy efficiency, both at Warm Hearth and beyond, by tirelessly writing letters to newspapers, periodicals and policy makers. Among other things, he donated funds for an electric car and charging station. He also established the Richard Rusk Scholarships for Wind Energy at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. Memorial services will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 1, 2013, in the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church with Dr. Catherine Taylor and Dr. Charles Taylor officiating. Interment will be held at 2 p.m. at the Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, Va.