Edward Lee Rusk

Edward Lee Rusk, 79, of Evansville, IN, passed away at 7:15 am, Saturday, September 2, 2017 at Deaconess Gateway. 

Ed was born in Crawfordsville, IN, October 16, 1937, the son of the late Lloyde and Helen (Smith) Rusk.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruby Marie (Shelton) Rusk; son, Ryan Edward Rusk (Stephanie) of Evansville, IN; grandchildren, Jacob and Laura Rusk; sister, Anna Jean Engel of Battle Creek, Michigan; sister-in-law, Sharon Joiner Rusk of St. Augustine Beach, FL; sister-in-law, Ella Shelton of Evansville; brother-in-law, Darrel Shelton (Mary Jeanette) of Boonville; sister-in-law, Carolyn McConnell (Don) of Knoxville, TN; and 26 nieces and nephews and multiple great nieces and great nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Jack D. Rusk and Fred D. Rusk.

Ed graduated from Crawfordsville High School where he played football, baseball and wrestled.  He received his B.S. from Indiana State University and his Masters from Ball State University.  Ed played football at Indiana State and participated on Indiana State’s first wresting team.   He began his Industrial Arts teaching career at Washington Middle School in Kokomo, IN.  Next he taught at Glenwood School in Evansville for 22 years.  He taught at Harrison High for one year and retired from North High School in 1999 after teaching there for 13 years.  Ed also served as the Assistant Athletic Director during his time at North.

Ed was acknowledged throughout his career with several awards.  In 1980 he was selected as the Indiana Industrial Education Association Outstanding Teacher of the Year.  He also received the National American Industrial Arts Association Teacher Recognition Award as an outstanding teacher.  In 1999, Ed received the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators’ Association for his dedicated service to the youth of Indiana.  In 2014 he was the first to receive the Blue Star Colon Screening Awareness Award.  He was a member of Huddleback Club, Downtown Quarterback Club, Evansville Retired Teachers Association, ISU Alumni Association, and Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary teacher’s organization. 

Ed enjoyed playing sports, attending and helping with school activities, playing Santa Claus, reading and traveling to Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean (cruises) and all 50 United States.  Ed was deeply involved in church work throughout his life. He was an active member at Eastside Baptist Church and at American Baptist East Church where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and served as a Trustee and Deacon.   

Ed has been described by those who knew him well as a “gentle giant, warm and sensitive, a very special person, always there when you needed him, and as a person who commanded great respect from his colleagues.”  Ed was ahead of his time in mainstreaming special education students into his Industrial Arts classes at Glenwood.  He was really soft-hearted when it came to kids.  Ed will always be remembered for his kindness and his willingness to help others.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 am, Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at American Baptist East Church, 6300 Washington Ave., Evansville, IN with Pastor Frank Coleman and Pastor Jeff Stratton officiating.  Burial will be in Shiloh Cemetery, Folsomville, IN.

Friends may call from 2 pm until 8 pm, Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville and again from   9 am until time of service at 10 am on Wednesday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to: American Baptist East Church, 6300 Washington Avenue, Evansville IN 47715 or ISU Foundation, 30 North Fifth Street, Terre Haute, IN 4780

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