Ronald A. Rusher, age 71, most recently residing in Ferndale, WA, passed away on Wednesday, October 31st, 2012 at the Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham, WA.

Ron was born in Sitka, Alaska on January 11th, 1941 to Carl and Genevieve Rusher (both now deceased).  He had two younger siblings, Robert (aka Bob) and Dexter both of which are also deceased.  Ron is survived by his wife of 51 years, Patricia (or Patti as most of their friends know her!) and his three sons, Rick living in Shelton, WA, Randall and his wife, Carol, living in Kent, WA and Ron Jr. and his wife, Rebecca, living in Coffman Cove, AK.   He was also a terrific Grandpa to his 8 grandkids and 2 great-grandkids.

Ron attended high school in Juneau, AK and was in the graduating class of 1959, the first graduating class as Alaska being the 49th state.  Shortly after that he got married to Patricia Brown in Juneau, AK on February 10, 1961.  They were quite the movers as they hopped around Alaska over the years.  Starting their life together in Juneau, then moved to Haines, back to Juneau, then to Kodiak, on to Ketchikan and then finally to Coffman Cove on Prince of Wales Island.  All the while raising their 3 boys and working. 

The Rusher name had become well known throughout SE Alaska and beyond; starting with his father, Carl, owning Rusher’s Hardware in Juneau in the 50’s and 60’s.  Ron and Patti followed in his parents footsteps by owning the Oslund Hardware store in Haines from 1964 to 1970.  So you could definitely say that Ron continued that family legacy and he truly had a reputation that preceded him.

First and foremost Ron loved the outdoors and was a true Alaskan.  He believed in living life to the fullest and was never one to let grass grow between his toes.  He was a man on the go with one project or another, one adventure or another or one business or another.  As Ron made a name for himself and a life for his family he dabbled in many fields such as, firefighting, owning his own bicycle shop, building his own home, and lastly, the “man on the sea” that finally fulfilled his life’s passion.

When Ron was a young man following in his father’s footsteps again, he would head out to the Tenakee Hunting Cabin EVERY thanksgiving where he and his fellow hunters bagged many a deer!   …and, a martin or two or three (!!!) to protect their prized kills hanging in the lean-to off the side of the cabin.  This was a tradition for the men in the family for more than 20 years.

Always a fisherman at heart he owned or operated numerous boats from recreational run-abouts to full-scale commercial fishing vessels and even State of Alaska research vessels.  You could say his love for the sea was unquenchable!  No fish or crab or shrimp or clam was safe when Ron was around.  A close second was Ron’s great love for helping others and developing new friendships.

One of his greatest adventures on the sea was when Ron skippered State of Alaska research vessels, such as the Stellar and the Resolution.  This gave him such joy in running the vessel in the first place but also being able to take the biologists to some of the most amazing places along the Alaska shoreline including SE Alaska, the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska.  He has countless videos of his time on the vessels exploring the wildlife.

His second most inspirational endeavor was running the tug boat Cygnet, in Kodiak for Afognak Logging.  Ron had several opportunities to respond to may-day calls from other vessels and he was always one to rush to the scene if at all possible, even in 40’ seas.  Which, if you know the Alaskan waters, that surely can happen.  His boys remember accompanying him on several such trips in extreme conditions to help others.  His wife Patti to this day still says “Why did I let them out on those rough seas?”  But then again sometimes she just got vetoed.  Friends and family will always remember how much he loved to help others and to teach people about his beloved state. 

Once retired he decided to continue his love of the water as a commercial fisherman which lead to his purchase of a 40’ steel salmon troller that he and Patti aptly named the Rushing One.  And with Pat at the helm, many wondered who was the real boss while they were at sea!  They filled their summers trolling for salmon more for the excitement and great camaraderie than for the income. They would pull into out-of-the-way harbors each night to share a meal and a totti, or two with friends!!  The extra income helped fund their wintertime travels RV’ing around the country but most commonly in the Arizona desert.  

Ron led a great life in his early years.  The last 7, he fought both Kidney failure and dementia.  For the last 5 years he went to dialysis three times a week.  As the two diseases progressed it became harder and harder to manage them both.  After a couple of falls and a broken hip he finally gave way to his passing.  He died a very peaceful death while in the care of the Whatcom Hospice House.   Even though he was there a very short time, the staff shined and provided Ron with the utmost kindness, respect and dignified care.  And it is for this reason that our desire is for any donations to be made to the Whatcom Hospice House in memory of Ron Rusher. 

And to fulfill Ron’s desire to go out with a bang, a Celebration of Life party will be held at the Sandy Point Heights Club House in Ferndale, WA, on December 8th from 2 pm to 6 pm.  If anyone would like any further information please call Carol Rusher at 206-390-1703. 

 

Please forward any donations to:

Whatcom Hospice Foundation

2806 Douglas Ave

Bellingham, WA  98225

 

Celebration of Life Party

Sandy Point Heights Club House 4460 Decatur Dr. Ferndale, WA, 

December 8th from 2 PM to 6 PM