Dr. A. Rusk

Dr. Richard A. Rusk, Lt. Col. US Army (Ret.), of Highlands Ranch, CO died peacefully at home on February 21st holding the hand of Elizabeth, his wife of 55 years. He was 88.

Rusk was born in June of 1930 in Kansas City, KS. He was the son of Harold A. Rusk and Bess (Wynn) Rusk Lawson. Early hardship shaped his later resilience, his father died of a brain tumor when Rusk was barely a year old. He grew up during the Great Depression, had a goat for his first pet, fished, flew kites and played the accordion.

Bess married Herbert C. Lawson when Rusk was four and they moved to Independence, MO. Richard "Dick" attended William Chrisman High School where he excelled as a student and a rifle marksman in ROTC. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at age 17 and was a member of the tribe of Mic-O-Say.

After graduation, Dick joined the army and began a long and distinguished career that included the Korean War and two tours of Vietnam. He was a paratrooper in Korea and fought in the pivotal battle of Wonju. He then attended flight school and was a pilot from 1951 to 1968, flying single engine, twin engine instrument and his favorite - helicopters. He made Captain by age 23, married, moved to Europe and had his first child. Three more children followed while the family moved from Germany to Fort Riley, KS; Fort Bragg, NC; and Fort Monmouth, NJ. He was married to Louise Slyter from 1952 to 1961.

He had not heard of Vietnam when he received orders to go there. After returning stateside, he went back to school and was part of "Operation Bootstrap" where he was given a year off duties to complete a college degree. At the University of Nebraska Omaha, he met army nurse Elizabeth "Liz" Sandness, who was also completing a degree. They were married just before Christmas, December 14th, in 1963 and took a honeymoon cruise ship to Europe. Stationed in Frankfurt, Dick was engaged in flying operations in support of theater level intelligence functions and took classes at night through the University of Southern California in Aerospace Management. He said it was a major breakthrough in his intellectual development.

Dick returned to Vietnam in 1966 as a Lt. Colonel with a new approach to intelligence collection and people-oriented management applications. There he commanded an aviation unit of 200 pilots, 1300 technical specialists, and over 80 aircraft located at five airfield complexes. The unit was cited for the significance of its contribution with a Meritorious Unit Commendation. Rusk also received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Air Medal with Seven Oak Leaf Clusters, and Commendation Medal during his time in the service.

He retired from the army in 1968, completed his masters (Systems Management) at USC, and turned his talents to the aerospace industry for five years, working for Lockheed on the L-1011 Tri-Star and anti-submarine aircraft that his son later flew in the Navy. But his quest for learning continued and Dick entered the doctoral program at Case Western Reserve University becoming the first Ph.D. (Organizational Behavior) in the family in 1980. He went on to teach graduate level courses as an Associate Professor for USC Systems Management, Case Western in the Department of Family Medicine, and the University of Denver. Rusk retired from teaching in 1992.

Dick and Liz enjoyed a life rich in travel and experience, lived in California and overseas for a considerable time and settled in Denver in the early 1990s. They joined Saint Peter Lutheran Church and were active members. Dick loved to fish, tied his own flies, was a member of the High Plains Drifters, and took annual angling trips to Minnesota, even appearing on the brochure for the resort. He was happy to share his love of fishing with family and friends, so teaching continued with tips and tricks. He volunteered for the American Red Cross and taught 55 Drive Alive courses. He also liked golf, coin collecting, growing roses and college football.

Richard Rusk was preceded in death by his parents, an infant older brother and his sister, Bonne R. Lawson. He is survived by his wife Liz of the home, three daughters: Rachel (Brian) Kaslaitis, Eudora, KS; Ramona (Bob) Kessel, Greenbelt, MD; Rebecca Rusk, Atlanta, GA; and one son: Randy (Laurie) Rusk, Exeter, RI. Dick had nine grandchildren: Austin (Carrie) Roberts, Manhattan, KS; Todd Roberts (Michelle Meyer), Columbia, MO; Sarah Kessel (Nick DeLong), Washington, DC; Ellen Kessel (Nick Day) Portland, OR; Marie Carroll (Matt), Atlanta, GA; Xander Lim, Atlanta, GA; Olivia Lim, Denver, CO; Roy and Ellie Rusk, Exeter, RI. There are two great grandchildren: Carl Roberts, Manhattan, KS; and Lawrence Richard Carroll, Atlanta, GA. Dick also is survived by his cousin Dorothy (Wynn) Bissell, Independence, MO, who was like a sister to him, cousins and extended family, plus his cat Rascal.

Services will be held at 9 am at Saint Peter Lutheran Church, 9300 East Belleview Avenue, Englewood, CO on Tuesday March 5th, with burial following at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Lakewood, CO. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, Boy Scouts of America, Saint Peter Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice in his name.

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