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1942 - 2013
Rufus Walter Andrews Wanning, 71, died at home May 10, 2013, in Orland, Maine, of leukemia, with his family around him and the aid of New Hope Hospice. Born in Boston, MA, the son of the late Andrews and Patricia Wanning, Rufus grew up in Cambridge and in the Hudson River Valley. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and from Harvard University magna cum laude with a major in physics. He went on to study philosophy at Heidelberg University, Germany, and Cambridge University, England.
Rufus married Virginia (Dindy) Royster in 1970, and they moved to Blue Hill, Maine, leading a wave of "summer people" who settled in as year-round residents. They raised two children and were founding parents of The Bay School. Rufus became a highly respected master arborist, founding Wanning Tree Service and playing a pivotal role in protecting the American elms that add such towering beauty to Blue Hill, Castine, and many other peninsula towns.
Rufus was known for his erudition and fine logical mind, and was active throughout his life in social justice, anti-war, and environmental causes. His many letters to the editor were rare combinations of good sense and factual knowledge. He was active in the Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, Maine People's Alliance, the Hancock County Democrats, the Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust, Blue Hill Heritage Trust, the Orland Dam Committee, and was a trained volunteer for Hospice of Hancock County. He always lent a hand to anyone who asked, and invariably acted with high principles, humility and kindness.
Rufus was an inveterate reader, loved a good joke, and delighted in company of every kind. He took as much pleasure in playing blocks with children as in discussing philosophy with college professors. He was proud of managing life with bipolar disorder and mentored others with the same difficulty. His last wish was realized when he donated his brain to the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center for research on brains of persons with significant psychiatric disorders.
Although loathe to leave life, he faced death courageously and with good humor. He leaves his cherished wife and partner in sustainable living, Margaret de Rivera of Orland, with whom he spent eleven years of marriage in great happiness; his two much-loved children, Martha Page (Molly) Cooper and Alton Andrews (Andy) Wanning; and a beloved granddaughter, Dinah Royster Cooper. Also greatly bereaved are his sister, Esther Wanning, and brother, Thomas Wanning, as well as devoted cousins, four loving stepchildren, and many dear friends. A memorial service will be held in Blue Hill in the summer.
Rufus may be remembered with donations to WERU or Sustainable Harvest International. You might also honor his memory by stopping by the Orland Market for a Rufus sandwich.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
When Rufus passed on I asked each of SHI's country programs to plant a tree in his memory. Recently I heard from our program in Panama that, hearing what kind of man Rufus was, they wanted to do something more significant and planted 218 trees of 15 species in an agroforestry plot on the organic demonstration farm of SHI participant Erik Rodriquez in memory of Rufus! Everyone who visits the farm will see the sign and the trees honoring Rufus and his commitment to trees and people all over the world.
Florence Reed
November 5, 2013
Florence Reed
November 5, 2013
Florence Reed
November 5, 2013
Florence Reed
November 5, 2013
Florence Reed
November 5, 2013
Florence Reed
November 5, 2013
Florence Reed
November 5, 2013
Florence Reed
November 5, 2013
Florence Reed
November 5, 2013
Florence Reed
November 5, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of his death. He must have been a remarkable man.
Michaeline for Maine Mycological Association
November 4, 2013
Appreciated his "Pauline peril" email updates. Condolences to kin/d especially
Esther and Tommy who had a fine older
brother in their lives. Susanna Cuyler
May 27, 2013
He was a legend in Blue Hill for his work with the elm trees and his thoughtful editorials on important topics. His face was always smiling on the dance floor as we played our jigs and reels in the Town Hall. We'll miss you, Rufus. A life well-lived.
George Fowler
May 27, 2013
So sad that Rufus is gone, but we knew it was going to happen for a long time - a long time in which Rufus kept up his own good spirits and was an example for us all.
I got to know Rufus as a fellow "nerd" in the Exeter Rocket Club in 1958. We had a slightly maverick faculty advisor and we actually succeeded in propelling a few objects into the sky. That made a nice change from the very ordered life at Exeter.
Later we shared a Cambridge apartment with two other guys during Rufus's first year after college (my second). During that phase I recall going on sailing weekends with Rufus's family a number of times.
After drifting apart for a number of decades Rufus got back in touch with me at my address in Holland and we exchanged a lot of stories. I was glad to have the chance to visit with him and Margaret in late 2011.
It would be great if there were more people like Rufus in the world. We'll miss him!
Dave Schmalz
May 24, 2013
I am so sad for our world and especially those closest to Rufus. His quiet strength, compassion and desire to help make a better world was manifest in everything I knew of Rufus. I got to know Rufus and Margaret mostly through there generous support of Sustainable Harvest International ever since they learned of us when we relocated to Maine nearly 10 years ago. I have always especially appreciated the heartfelt nature of Rufus and Margaret's support, which always went beyond their financial donations as they also participated in local SHI events and Rufus even donated his services to trim a big tree that was threatening our office. I will remember him fondly always, and be grateful to know that Margaret and so many others he touched will carry on his legacy.
Florence Reed
May 24, 2013
Walt, as we knew him at Phillips Exeter, was a beloved figure, memorable for his goodness and for his courage to be himself at a time when most of us were trying to fit in. It's a shame we didn't use his real name, Rufus, which suits his special qualities of character. I am sorry he is gone, but his memory brings a smile. He was one of the best of us.
John Wilcox
May 21, 2013
Always an individual with a realistic regard for society, he was my favorite iconoclast.
Charlie Kirkpatrick
May 20, 2013
Walt was my classmate in both high school and college. He was always a nice, quiet, friendly,unassuming person. He created a meaningful life of accomplishment in his own unique fashion. A kind soul.
Tony Davies
May 20, 2013
As president of the Phillips Exeter class of 1960 I want to convey our condolences to the Wanning family and his friends. Walt, as some of us knew him decades ago, was a gentle person and a contributing member of our class. His warm smile and friendliness will be missed and remembered.
Kevin McGrath
May 20, 2013
I only knew Rufus briefly, but I learned to respect and appreciate his intelligence and social consciousness quickly. He was a great advocate and activist and worked closely with the Maine People's alliance. He quickly earned the respect and honor of those met and worked with him on any issue. I am sorry to hear of his passing.
Kathy Day
May 20, 2013
So sorry for your loss Margaret. Rufus was such a sweetheart to everyone. Always helpful and so kind. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Cora Bigelow
Cora Bigelow
May 20, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss, Marguerete, and for your family. My thoughts are with you at this time.
Martha McLain
May 20, 2013
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