Richard N. Rushton Jr "Dick"
Richard N. Rushton Jr. “Dick”, age 71 of Menomonie, died Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at his home with hospice, surrounded by his family.
Dick was born in Darby, Pennsylvania on June 26, 1937. He was the son of Richard and Irene (Miller) Rushton. He attended Stonehurst Hills Elementary School, Upper Darby Junior High and Senior High Schools and graduated in 1955 from Media High School, all in Pennsylvania.
After high school, Dick graduated from Wesley Junior College in Dover, DE and from Union College in Barbourville, KY. Following those graduations, he attended Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, NJ, where he met his future wife, Marilynn Mundy, who survives him today. They were married in Milwaukee on June 6, 1964. While Dick was in seminary he served as pastor of the Tobyhanna Methodist Church in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. In 1966, both Dick and Marilynn graduated from Drew and moved to Wisconsin. For several years Dick did social work in Rock and Waukesha Counties while Marilynn served churches as a Methodist Pastor. Both Dick and Marilynn have been ordained United Methodist Clergy in the Wisconsin Conference. Dick Served churches in Beaver Dam, Durand, Arkansaw, Eau Galle, Sturgeon Bay, Jacksonport, Sun Prairie, Altoona, Hallie, Prairie Farm and Ridgeland. While in active ministry, Dick was involved with the youth and was beloved by them. He retired from active parish ministry in 1998.
Following his retirement from ordained ministry, Dick drove motor coach bus across the country for Blackhawk Express in Bloomer. He thoroughly loved and enjoyed this work and developed great friendships with the owners, Diane and DJ Joswiak, other drivers (especially his driving partner, Fritz Wildenberg) and many passengers. Working for Blackhawk was a deeply happy time in Dick’s life professionally. While driving across the country, “Papah” always sent postcards to his grandchildren telling them about what he was doing in his travels. His goal was to drive a million miles for Blackhawk. Sadly, he did not reach that goal, his log record showed that after 1497 trips for Blackhawk, he had driven 812,890 miles.
Dick is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marilynn, by his deeply loved children, Lori (Dale) Blank of Hazelhurst, Mark (Michelle Cornwell) Rushton of Waukesha, Shaun (Ashley Ellingson) Rushton of Madison and Heidi (Jerry) King of Elk Mound, “Papah’s” five dear grandchildren, Daniel and Michael King, Julia, Nicholas and Braedon Blank, one brother, Donald (Kelly) of Ridley, PA, two nieces, Penny and Debbie, one nephew, Don, his parents-in-law, Betty and John Mundy of Boulder Junction, brother-in-law, John (Judy) Mundy and nephews, Scott and Brian Mundy, all of Milwaukee and close family friends, Bill Ziegler and Marilyn and Otto Waldbuesser, all of Menomonie. His parents preceded him in death. Dick was a extremely devoted family man always supporting and encouraging his wife, children and grandchildren. He was proud of his family and kept in close touch with them throughout his whole life.
In his younger years, he played baseball in high school and then in Babe Ruth league. He often umpired for little league, Babe Ruth League and high school games, all of which he enjoyed thoroughly. Among his other interests were reading, bicycling, walking, playing games, listening to classical music, attending concerts and plays, going on family picnics, collecting hats, playing computer games and collecting stamps. One of the “trademarks”
Dick enjoyed was his being different. For example, he would use dollar coins rather than paper dollars. Among the highlights of his life were the many annual vacation trips he and his family took for a month every year, usually to Florida to enjoy each other in the sun, sand and surf. Dick’s dry, quick and creative sense of humor and wit brought much laughter among his family, friends and colleagues. He was a deeply compassionate person and sought justice in the communities where he lived and peace in our world.
Without any warning signs, Dick was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in early May of this year. He stayed home cared for by his family and friends with the support of hospice. He is and will always be deeply missed with no one able to fill the empty spot he leaves in the hearts of all his family, friends and colleagues.
Private family services are planned with the Rev. Barry Shaw. Burial will be in the Arkansaw Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the National Wildlife Association, the AIDS Resource Center in Eau Claire or the Northwest Wisconsin Homecare Hospice.
Arrangements by the Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Menomonie.