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Zeke Prust Obituary
92, loving father and hero, passed away January 6, 2017 at Friendship Village Health Care Center in Tempe, Arizona. Zeke was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, but also lived in South Dakota and Iowa before moving back to Wisconsin. He attended schools in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Colorado, enlisting in the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) while in college. After the program was disbanded, he was sent to Fort Knox, KY for tanker training and then overseas to England. Originally sent to France via Omaha Beach as a replacement for D-Day, he was assigned to the 10th Armored Division and served with them for the remainder of the war including the battle for Metz and the Battle of the Bulge (Bastogne). His unit crossed the Rhine at Worms and ended the war at Garmisch-Partenkirchen. After graduation, Zeke married Mary Ann Dodge, his wife of almost 70 years, co-owned Rock Ledge Printing Service and taught in Sheboygan, Wisconsin before moving to Arizona in 1955. He was appointed to the faculty at Arizona State University, in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, in 1959 where he held teaching and administrative positions until he retired. Though he stopped teaching in 1987, Zeke never truly retired, living each day as a blessing and becoming active in the ASURA and the Emeritus Faculty Club, serving as president of both groups. His younger brother Clint Prust survives Zeke. He also leaves two sons, Randall S. Prust, MD and Donald (Tammy) Prust, as well as grandsons, Justin (Kelley) Prust, Steven (Lexie) Prust, and Brandyn Prust. Zeke Prust was also the proud great grandfather to two great-grandson's, Seth and Jackson, and two great-granddaughter's, Bailey and Penelope. Zeke enjoyed woodworking, football, golf, the Watermelon Club, his grandchildren and being around people. Celebration of life will be at the St. Matthews United Methodist Church, 2540 West Baseline Rd., Mesa, AZ on February 11, 2017 at 10:00 AM. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Friendship Village of Tempe Foundation Inc. http://greatnonprofits.org/org/friendship-village-of-tempe-foundation-inc
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Zeke Prust
Mike Stinnett
January 28, 2020
I miss your kind words, your wisdom, and your friendship, rest in peace, my old friend!
Cynthia Thompson
January 28, 2020
I will always remember our time together at the conferences and your encouragement as the host of the conference held at NC A and T State university. You will be missed. Rest In Peace. Dr. Cynthia Carlton Thompson (formerly Gillispie)
February 16, 2017
As a student of Dr. Prust I can remember vividly attending his last class Inks and Substrates
which concluded his teaching career at the university level, but not his accomplishments to society. Another member of the Greatest Generation we will meet on the other side.
Mark F. LeBlanc
Back Bay, Boston
Val Peterson
February 7, 2017
Zeke Prust was a doer. I didn't know him until after his retirement when he served in the ASU Retirees Association. He was just a decade ahead of me and served as president of the organization in 1998-1999. I followed him as president of ASURA exactly 10 years later and served 2008-2009. When you wanted something done, you could always find Zeke willing to help and he helped me when requested. Zeke always had good ideas and he knew how to implement them. I greatly respected his ideas, his abilities, and his knowledge. He will be missed in many places and by many people.
Janet Oglesby
February 7, 2017
God didn't send us a lawyer He sent a gentleman, a leader, an organizer, a colleague of the graphics profession to which he was dedicated. I remember how sadden I was when Zeke wasn't able to attend the GCEA (IGAEA) conference in 2014 due to his limited walking ability. He was truly a friend and such an honor to know him.
Craig Polanowski
February 6, 2017
I have fond memories of Zeke from the iaphc.
He was a font of knowledge combined with
A charming personality. He will live on in the
memory of the many people he influenced.
Rest In Peace, my friend.
..Craig Polanowski
Craig Knippel
February 6, 2017
Each time I have students open their Graphic Communications textbook, fond memories of Zeke POP out of the pages.
Keep on proofreading Zeke
Margie Willbanks
February 5, 2017
I never had the fortune to meet Zeke, but I used his Graphic Communications text for many years when I taught printing and graphics at Griffin Technical College in Griffin, GA.
His expertise was a real asset to me and my students, and we have surely lost a treasure.
Albert Tucker
February 5, 2017
Zeke Prust has been a mentor and a good friend to hundreds of Graphic Arts teachers throughout his wonderful life. His influence reaches thousands of students through those instructors. Zeke always had time for those of us in the field. Thanks Zeke! - you'll be remembered for a long time via your legacy. God Bless you sir!
Penny Ann Dolin
February 5, 2017
Zeke will be missed. From the very start of my teaching career he was supportive and encouraging - always. A kind and thoughtful man - a wonderful educator. I wish all the best for the family.
Prof. Penny Ann Dolin
Graphic Information Technology
Arizona State University
Associate Prof. of Practice, Past Program Chair
Benjamin Krothe 5th
February 4, 2017
I teach Graphic Communications at Lampeter-Srasburg High School and was excited to be able to meet and talk with Zeke, the author of the textbook I use in class through the former International Graphic Arts Eduction Association. He was a incredible mentor and colleague. He will be sorely missed. May God comfort your family at this time.
Thomas Schildgen
February 4, 2017
Zeke Prust was a friend, mentor, and colleague for over 40 years. Zeke was a true gentleman that led by example, and Zeke was part of a cohort that included Fred Kagy, Erv Dennis, Harvey Levenson, Mike Stinnett, Page Crouch, Cam Hitchcock, Jack Simich, Earl Sundeen, Rick Hanneman, Dean Blomgren, and other IGAEA members that shaped the discipline of Graphic Communications, and which their efforts ultimately defined the formation of The Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications, Inc. (ACCGC). Zeke had a distinguished career at Arizona State University, and used his skills to better organize the Printing Industry of Arizona (PIAZ).
Thomas Schildgen
Professor and Past Dept. Chair,
Arizona State University
President of ACCGC
Donald Hays
February 4, 2017
Zeke, a friend, a man of intrigue and devoted to our printing friends. He was very loyal to his family and to his work in the printing industry.My condolence to his family. He will be missed.
Charles Finley
February 4, 2017
My favorite memory is, at Cal Poly, talking with Zeke about the brutal cold that afflicted him and his Sherman tank at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.
February 4, 2017
Zeke will be forever remembered as a great person who was admired for his contribution to The printing field. Cynthia Carlton Thompson, Ph.D
February 4, 2017
I am deeply saddened.
A little over two months ago I had an email exchange with Zeke.
One of my fondest recollections goes back to the mid-1980s when Zeke and I took six students (three for Arizona State University and three from Cal Poly) on a two week tour of the Northern Italy printing, publishing, and gravure press manufacturing industry, sponsored by the Italian Trade Commission. We had a wonderful time together.
I shall miss my good friend and academic/industry colleague. Zeke was a true and thoughtful gentleman.
Harvey Levenson
Robert Newton
February 4, 2017
Zeke was always a ray of sunshine, Feel close as we both taught in Sheboygan.
Thomas Loch
February 4, 2017
Zeke was a guiding professional force in the Graphic Communications Education Association (formerly known as the International Graphic Arts Education Association), and his impact has left a long-reaching legacy that will live on in the teachers and students he influenced during his life. Zeke was a gentleman, who did good things well. We were fortunate to have known him.
R.I.P.
Mike Stinnett
February 3, 2017
A mentor and friend to me for over 40 years and to more teachers and students than we can count. A natural leader and a gentleman, in this day and age we have too few.
Mike Stinnett, GCEA President
Tyler
February 3, 2017
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. God is the hearer of prayers. May the God of comfort bring your family peace and calmness in your time grief.
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