Burdett “Buzz” W. Rust, 74, of Pinehurst, North Carolina and formerly of Eden, Kenmore and Buffalo, NY passed into the arms of his Heavenly Father surrounded by family at home after a lengthy and courageously fought battle with a chronic illness. The oldest son of three boys born to Burdett Rust and Lois Pearl (nee Steffen) Rust. Devoted husband to Susan Martinez-Rust (nee Anderson), brother to Bruce Rust (Kathy) and Barry Rust (Kathleen). Incredibly loving and supportive father to Jeremy Rust (Kimberly), Gregory Rust (Krista) and Emily Gunter (John). Of all the titles Buzz had over the years “Papa or Poppo” was by far his most favorite. Adoring and proud Papa/Poppo to Henry, Charles, Reba, Colton, Boden, and John Jr. Mr. Rust was predeceased by his parents Burdett and Lois Rust, and loving first wife, Susan Clare Rust.
After Buzz’s love of family, came his affection for the sea, so much so that he joined the U.S. Navy in 1968 immediately out of high school. During his time in the Navy he also married the first love of his life, Susan C. Rust. Together they shared many trips, adventures and memories while he sailed and was stationed in the Mediterranean until 1974 when he was honorably discharged.
Our father and mother began the most impactful time in their lives, raising their family starting in Kenmore, New York, then in Eden, New York. Known to many as the “country cousins” dad worked tirelessly to build a home with our mother that allowed us to make immeasurable memories and taught his children what it meant to make a house a home.
Throughout his professional life, Buzz worked as a Field Service Technician in both the medical field at Mennen Medical, as well as the aerospace industry for Gemcor. This line of work allowed him to continue his trips and adventures in life, as he traveled both stateside and internationally. Buzz would speak with anyone, and to know him, was to be considered his friend. This allowed him to make countless connections with people all over the world and many that he kept in contact with on a regular basis. One of the main components of Buzz’s work as a Field Service Technician was to train and educate employees about how to both use, and fix, a variety of machines and pieces of equipment.
Education was incredibly important to Buzz and he modeled that importance to his children by achieving his Bachelors of Science degree at age 50 after many obstacles slowed him from achieving it earlier in life. Upon leaving the workforce as a Field Service Technician, Buzz continued in the education field as an Industrial Workforce Development Instructor, a passionate educator working for a variety of industries and educational institutions both in New York and North Carolina near where he resided. Buzz’s last, and arguably most enjoyable job, was working for his son Jeremy at his landscape design build company in West End, North Carolina where he often reminded Jeremy that paper and pencils are cheap; truckloads of sand and gravel are not!
Even outside of work the travel bug never really left him and he loved to “meander” as he called it. Buzz loved to drive with the window down and a hot cup of coffee, this encouraged him to take countless trips with his family, mainly to visit relatives around the United States. Visiting family is how he and his wife found their next home in Pinehurst, North Carolina. After shoveling and blowing snow for decades, he decided it was time to retire to a warmer area and having his children nearby was “icing on the cake” as he would say. In 2008 he and Susie settled down in North Carolina. Buzz and second love of his life, Sue, affectionately known to him as Susie, were later married in Pinehurst, NC where they enjoyed spending time together with their many friends and family, especially their grandchildren. Buzz often remarked how fortunate he was to have found a second devoted and loving wife in Susie to share in all he experienced in the later years of life!
Upon successfully raising his children, he looked for countless opportunities to better the lives of our nation’s Veterans within his community. Buzz, being a U.S. Navy Veteran himself, a title he wore so proudly, enjoyed being an active member as well as the immediate past Commander of American Legion Post 72 in Aberdeen, NC. Buzz worked with both Veterans Affairs and Disabled American Veterans and ensured if he was ever made aware of a veteran in need he would exhaust all efforts to make certain it was attended to promptly. Later in life, Buzz used his ability to cook for groups such as the Wounded Warriors as well as the American Legion which added to the organizations’ programming and fundraising efforts.
Buzz loved anything that allowed him to spend time with his family. Known in his younger years to put on the best Fourth of July parties, which always included friends, family, food and often fireworks too!. Dad thoroughly enjoyed cooking and hosting get-togethers no matter the time of year, much of which he inherited from his mother, and likewise passed onto his children. Buzz was a wonderful cook, known for his breakfast burritos and pulled pork sandwiches.
Buzz loved the outdoors and any activity that was fitting for the season. Some of his greatest joys were fishing, a love which he in turn shared with his children where we spent many a day in the “Green Ninja” out on Lake Erie, pier fishing at the beach with Susie, as well as pond and saltwater fishing on the Gulf Stream in retirement with his kids and grandchildren.
He was incredibly encouraging to his family and his children, allowing us kids to partake in many different sports, hobbies, and occupations. Buzz demonstrated many character attributes to his children, wit, being one of them, but also how to build grit and telling us that at times we would have to learn to “eat dirt”, dust yourself off, and try again to be successful in life. Up until the very end, Buzz continued to infuse wisdom into his children and grandchildren, and led by example on how to handle all that life throws at you.
Family will receive friends and loved ones in North Carolina on Friday, September 20th from 7:00-9:00pm at Boles Funeral Home (425 West Pennsylvania Avenue, Southern Pines, NC). A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 21st at 3:00pm at Culdee Presbyterian Church (916 NC Hwy 73, West End, NC), a reception will immediately follow in the Church’s Fellowship Hall. A visitation in New York is scheduled on Thursday, September 26th from 11:00am-2:00pm at Amigone Funeral Home (6170 W. Quaker Street, Orchard Park, NY), a burial service with military honors will immediately follow at Woodlawn Cemetery (4443 S. Buffalo Street, Orchard Park, NY).
Donations may be made in Buzz Rust’s memory to American Legion Post #72, 211 East Main Street, Aberdeen, NC 28315.
Online condolences can be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com or www.amigone.com
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home and Amigone Funeral Home.
