Kenneth Dean Rusk

1945 - 2025

Kenneth Dean Rusk

March 23, 1945 - September 20, 2025

Wichita, Kansas - Born to Harry B. Rusk and Alma (Kolling) Rusk, Ken was a member of the Wichita East High School Gymnastics team in the early 1960s. He wed Elaine Sommers Sept. 5, 1964, in College Hill Methodist Church having met her there in Sunday School class at age 15. Upon graduation, he was employed at Boeing Aircraft in Wichita and served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He graduated from WSU with a bachelor's degree in business administration. In addition to his own work and other activities, Ken helped his father with his fledgling H. B. Rusk Company, fabricating x-ray testing equipment before assuming ownership of the business in 1984 and expanding the company's product line before eventually transferring the family business to his son and third-generation owner, Benjamin Rusk.

Ken enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, camping, playing golf and snow skiing in earlier years, focusing mostly on fishing in later times with annual treks angling for monster rainbow, brown and tiger trout in Manitoba, Canada as well as a special Alaskan trip fishing for salmon on the Mulchatna River. Ken was a devoted husband and Wichita State University Shockers basketball fan, seldom missing home games during many years and often sported a WSU shirt and baseball cap.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents and both sisters, Darlene Cox and Patty Tolberd. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elaine Rusk; son, Benjamin Rusk; daughter, Angela Rusk; and grandson, Hayden Rusk.

Arrangements in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com