Calvin Hugh "Rusty" Gates Jr.

As the director of a large emergency department I thought that I was hardened to the loss of life. The news of Rusty's death had me crying. I lived vicariously through the weekly reports on the website and the occasional phone calls. I looked forward to the long pauses in a question and answer period where he would allow me to reason the answer to a question out, and follow-up with another question about the river that would lead to even more deliberation. He taught me more about the river...

Rusty has always been closely associated with northern Michigan and the Au Sable in my mind. When I think of the Au Sable I think of Rusty. Back in the late 70s and early 80s, when I was a teenager, I felt as though walking into the fly shop was a coming of age ritual, with contemplative music playing, beautiful equipment all around and Rusty - alert, intelligent, articulate, and witty. It was the kind of environment to which I hoped to belong. Rusty set a very high standard, and later I...

We missed our stay this year because my husband, John, died in June. But the Carlstedt's brought a framed map of the Holy Waters to John's memorial service so we all could remember the wonderful times we had at the lodge. We remembered leaving the pink flamingo glasses for others to enjoy or throw out. We remembered the late nights by the fire pit. We remembered the wonderful food and the warm way we were always treated-like tolerated family. We remembered the flies that were this year's...

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

It was an honor and privledge to know Rusty. How many people can look back on their lives and know they've made thousands of peoples lives better? He made my life better. Thank You Gator -we will miss you very much. Julie: Deepest sympathy to you and your family and your extended family.

I have met very, very few people in life whom I hold in such high regard. I never witnessed his orations in court, but from the sounds of it, they were gifted. Rusty, indeed, was a gift to us all, and will be terribly missed. My condolences to his family, who will be experiencing that emptiness more than anyone.
I, myself, will listen for his voice in the sounds in and around the river. The songs of the spring warblers, the sociable RBG, the beautiful sound of the Wood Thrush as...

Julie: Deepest sympathy to you and your family. Rusty will truley be missed. I considered it a privledge to have known him.

He will be missed by all of us who looked forward to our time at The Gates Lodge and on the Au Sable.
His deep commitment to preserving the environment was a beacon to us all, and we must continue to work for the preservation of this beautiful piece of the world.