Robert Clinton Rust, age 87, resident of 23385 Amy Road, Saegertown, PA died Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at Hamot Medical Center, Erie, PA. He was a resident of Woodcock Township all of his life. Born on June 26, 1921 in Meadville, PA, he was a son of the late DeWitt Rust and Florence Burns Rust. On July 10, 1954 he married the former Rowena Marshall and she survives him.
Shortly after graduating from Cambridge Springs High School in 1938, Robert entered the US Army Air Corp and became a pilot. He served as a Second Lieutenant with the Corp during World War Two. After the war he returned home and was a dairy farmer all of his life. His main passion was flying which he did until about two years ago. He owned his own plane and had a private run way on the farm which made it convenient for him to fly on a regular basis. He enjoyed providing people whom he came in contact with the opportunity and experience of flying. Invitations were frequent and it is estimated that several hundred people over the years accepted his gracious offer to fly.
In addition to his wife, Rowena, Robert is survived by three daughters – Heather Bress and her husband, Randy of Sharpsville; Minnette Clepper and her husband, Gregory of Woodcock; and Lorraine Price and her husband, Alfred of Woodcock; a son – Graydon Rust of Colarado; eleven grandchildren – Aaron, Alyse, Nathaniel, and Rebecca Clepper; Drew, Mariah, and Ian Price; Zachary, David, and Eli Bress; and Christina Young. Also surviving is a sister – Nancy Lesser of Ridgeway. A sister – Miriam Long preceded him in death.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Thursday evening from 7-9 and are invited to funeral services there Friday morning at 11:00. Reverend Audrey Loveway, pastor of the Woodcock United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will be in Gravel Run Cemetery.
Bob you will be missed
I am one of the many fortunate people that Bob touched through flight. My father, Bill Hanaway, introduced me to Bob years ago at the hanger. Only moments after shaking hands, we were in the cockpit walking through the preflight steps. Bob had a natural gift for instruction and sharing the passion of flight. He was far more than a pilot. He was a force of inspiration. There is a lot to celebrate in the life that was lived.