Phil Rusten

Phil Rusten – Rendezvous at Dawn
"Phil was a human being who loved life and sought adventure over security."
Phil passed peacefully in the early morning of November 21, 2011 at the Hospice of the Valley, Mesa, Arizona. He was 88 years old. Cremation has taken place.
There are many ways to seek adventure. For Phil these included adventures of the mind as he explored and shared ideas, adventures of the creative spirit through his writing and photography, adventures in the wilderness through canoeing and fishing, and adventures of challenge and courage through his three careers and designing and building furniture and two homes. The following adventure, which Phil often reflected on, took place in Kipawa, Quebec in 1964 with his son Eric.
As Phil gave a strong push our 14 foot, 45 pound wooden canoe surged from the shore slicing through the mirror-like surface of the lake. He settled lightly into the stern, pulled his well-worn paddle that fit his strong hands perfectly, and silently dug deep into the still waters of the lake and pulled expertly driving the canoe forward. The cool quiet of the morning was refreshing and energizing. We did not need to speak; we knew the other's thoughts were confident in our skill and knowledge. I, his 13 year old son, worked to match his strokes on the opposite side, striving to make my father proud. As our canoe slid across the still surface Phil scanned the shoreline seeking the perfect fishing spot. The sky grew lighter as the first strands of pink and peach of sunrise glorified this wonderful morning. A loon called plaintively in the distance and as our speed increased we heard his wing tips beat the water as he took flight. We could both feel that today would be a good day for us, and a bad day for walleye, and that soon breakfast would be sizzling in a hot skillet.
We returned from Kipawa stronger and transformed. My father taught me what it means to be a man of goodness, purpose and meaning; how to face adversity and grow; how to experience great joy through companionship; how to respect and become one with nature; and how to never to give up. Through this adventure, my father gave me this gift that keeps on giving, and from what others in our extended family and his many friends say, he also gave this gift of love, learning and adventure to many.
Phil was born in 1923, the first son to Esther and Philip Rusten and grew up on a farm in eastern South Dakota. At fourteen he bought his first camera, which introduced him to what would become his third career. His mother introduced him to the world of ideas and learning and his father taught him the joy of hard work and a job done well. At 19 Phil left the life of a farmer to earn a degree in theology and philosophy at Anderson College in Indiana. It was here where he met and married his first wife Eunice Jones in 1946. A year later, Edith (Ann), his first daughter, was born. Then tragedy struck and Eunice was killed in a car accident.
Phil went on to pursue a master's degree at Oberlin College in Ohio and through friends he met June Weinheimer who was attending college nearby. They married in 1948 and Eric, his first son, was born two years later. After graduating, Phil moved his young family to Boscobel, Wisconsin where Phil became the minister for the Congregational church and his second daughter Ellen was born. His profession as a minister lasted till 1961 when he started his second career as an English teacher in the Ann Arbor Michigan School system teaching at Tappan Junior High and Huron High School. During these years as an educator Phil earned two more master's degrees and designed, built, with his son, a house in a wooded area near Dexter, Michigan and started his third career as a photographic artist. With his wife, he displayed and sold his photographs at art fairs in Michigan and the mid-west and wrote and self-published the first of four books, A Way of Seeing.
In 1979 Phil married Nancy Tyler Mayo and soon after Phil left teaching he continued with his third career as a full time writer and photographic artist. As a team, Nancy and Phil displayed and sold Phil's art at art fairs across the mid-west for 28 years. During this time Phil wrote and self-published three more books: On the Growing Edge, Journeys of the Heart, and Rocks in the River. Each volume is comprised of reflective essays about his life and principles for living a good and meaningful life. They are illustrated by his photographs and punctuated by philosophical aphorisms.
At the age of 66, Phil started a new adventure to design and build his second home with the help of their foster son Bruce Rikli. This 5,900 sq. ft. home was set on a hill surrounded by cedars in a rural area north of Chelsea, Michigan.
In 1996 Phil and Nancy established a winter residence in Mesa, Arizona. After 10 years of seasonal moves, they left Ann Arbor to settle permanently in Leisure World, Mesa, Arizona. It was around this time that Phil retired from his career as an artist at 83 years old.
Not being able to rest and simply play golf, Phil focused much of his energy on becoming an accomplished cook who continually experimented with new foods and crafted enticing recipes that he shared with friends and family across the US, and he became famous for his chocolate chip cookies. He also continued with his photography and writing.
Throughout his long rich life Phil deeply influenced all who grew to know him through his work as a minister, educator, writer and photographer. Phil often commented that he saw his work as an educator and artists as an extension of his ministry.
Phil is survived by his wife of 32 years, Nancy. His brother, David (Sandra) Rusten of Brookings, South Dakota. Three children: Ann (Ben) West of Salisbury, North Carolina; Eric (Om) Rusten of Derwood, Maryland; and Ellen Rusten of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Three step daughters Meredy (Peter) Shima of Saline, Michigan; Shari (Mike) Mueller of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Jana (Alan) Lown of Milan, Michigan. Twelve grandchildren: Jenny Clement; Erica West; Jason and Maya Rusten; Katie, Megan and Erika Shima; Tina and Lara Muller; Chris (Sara) Mayo; and Tyler and Connor Lown. And four great grandchildren, two nephews and one niece.
Memorial contributions in memory of Phil may be made to: Leisure World Library, 908 S. Power Rd., Mesa, Az. 85206 or toward a bench and plaque to be placed in the County Farm Park in Ann Arbor, Mi. c/o Meredy Shima, 3149 Burberry Court, Saline, Mi. 48176.
A celebration of Phil's life will be held in Ann Arbor in the spring of 2012 on a date to be determined.