Gary M. Rusing

Gary M. Rusing, age 75, of Bellingham, Washington passed away peacefully on December 28, 2018. Gary was born December 1, 1943 to Oliver and Mabel Rusing. He was born and raised in Bellingham, Washington and graduated from Bellingham High in 1961. After high school Gary was employed by the U.S. Forest Service and worked hard to pay his way through college and law school. He attended Willamette University and graduated from Western Washington State College (now Western Washington University) and University of Oregon Law School. Gary practiced law in Bellingham for 47 years; he also taught Economics at WWU. Gary is survived by his sister, Judy Ryan of Bellingham, his children Christopher Rusing of Jupiter, Florida, Garrett Rusing, Justice Rusing and Grace Rusing, all of Bellingham; and nieces Tami Thetford (Jay), Juleigh Vandermeid (Mark) and Taylor Thetford (Kyle), along with several great-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son Michael. Gary was an avid handball player, and won a Canadian National Doubles Championship in 1991, among other tournaments including a father-son handball tournament in Spokane in 1998 with son, Chris Rusing. He also loved skiing, mountain biking, hiking, karaoke, hosting barbecues at his home and spending time in Hawaii. Gary was an excellent attorney and very well-respected by his peers. He had an immeasurable love for life and life experiences, and had a genuine love and generosity toward his family, friends and staff. At Gary's request, there will be no funeral. He was cremated and his ashes will be spread in Maui, Hawaii. Grief never ends, but it changes. It's a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness nor a lack of faith, it is the price of love.