SCOTT RUSTON

Scott Louis Ruston 1948 ~ 2010 Scott Louis Ruston died early Friday morning, July 9, 2010. He was 61. Born in Syracuse, New York, Scott spent his adult life living in Salt Lake City, Utah where he attended the University of Utah. Scott was a friendly and open person who enjoyed getting to know people and quickly made friends with those around him. He drew people to him with his off-beat charm, good humor, genuine interest, and wealth of knowledge. Once he'd made a friend he usually kept in touch with them, wherever they went and no matter how long they'd been gone. In his younger years he traveled frequently in the mountains and deserts of Utah, exploring and looking for unusual plants and animals. During the 70s he started on a trip around the world, but ended up spending over a year in Kathmandu, Nepal and then returning to Utah. He was enthusiastic about politics and had an amazing understanding of physics, botany, physiology, and other sciences. He loved science fiction and read it avidly. Scott was also an artist and tinkerer. Over the years he made numerous beautiful geometric-shaped stained glass terrariums, some of which were displayed in an art gallery. Some went to friends and acquaintances and others he kept as scientifically designed habitats for his variety of pets, filling them with rocks, plants, wood, water features, and creatures. Scott was a great lover of the natural world and had a keen interest in reptiles, amphibians and various types of creepy-crawlies. At different times he had a boa constrictor, a caiman -- a South American relative of the alligator, an iguana, a giant millipede, tarantulas, scorpions, spiders, geckos, salamanders, and a variety of snakes, lizards, toads, frogs and turtles. He has also had many cats over the years, including two that he leaves behind. In addition to animals another of his great loves was plants and gardening. He created many amazing and beautiful gardens that he built and tended with great enthusiasm and care. His photographs of the blooms of plants he grew show considerable talent for photography. Scott was a walking encyclopedia on the many subjects he knew and loved. All who spent time with him learned fascinating facts about the world and often went to him with questions of all sorts. He inspired us about the wonders of this world and the joy of discovery. Visiting his house was a magical experience for children and adults alike. It was a welcoming place of wonder and learning, in visits spent chatting and exploring life. Scott suffered severe health problems, but he lived the philosophy that life is to be enjoyed no matter what your circumstances. Scott's spirit survives in all of us who learned from him: Facts and ideas both utilitarian and esoteric, in our knowledge of the unusual plants and animals he introduced to us, in the curiosity about the natural world that he instilled in our children, but most of all in our memories of the good times we had hiking in the canyons or walking through the streets while he tried to teach us the Latin names of the surrounding flora, the engaging conversations, and most of all his friendship. Scott was a wonderful person with an inquiring intellect who engaged the world with love and charity despite suffering such difficult health himself. Graveside service at Noon, Wednesday, July 14, 2010, at B'nai Israel Cemetery, 1021 4th Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah. Arrangements by Evans & Early Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Scott's name to the Utah Food Bank, 3150 South 900 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119. Scott is survived by his father, Maurice Ruston of Virginia Beach, Virginia; his sister, Anna Dobbs of Dewitt, New York; his brothers, David Ruston of Syracuse, New York, and Paul Ruston of Kent, Washington; two nieces, Mallorie and Rachel Ruston; and a network of many devoted friends of varying ages, interests, accomplishments, and paths, who all have in common their love for Scott. He will be deeply missed by all of us who have known and loved him. "You be good."